With a little researching, a UV set-up can be made for cheap. But then again, if you're willing to risk your health & the health of those you are in contact with on a daily basis (family), because it's "more affordable than the alternative", then perhaps you'll get exactly what you're asking for. No cue is worth endangering my family's health, nor my own. Granted there's a level of risk in everything, but auto clear is just begging for trouble.
Automotive clear coat
- Thread starter billl67
- Start date
With a little researching, a UV set-up can be made for cheap. But then again, if you're willing to risk your health & the health of those you are in contact with on a daily basis (family), because it's "more affordable than the alternative", then perhaps you'll get exactly what you're asking for. No cue is worth endangering my family's health, nor my own. Granted there's a level of risk in everything, but auto clear is just begging for trouble.
It is down a lot over the last few years. More manufacturers and outdated tech drive prices down in a hurry.
As for needing microwaves & genies to the sum of $15G's, that's just silly. Anybody seen Wes Hunter's finish on a cue made in the last 5 or so years? Absolutely stunning, hard, and durable. Looks like glass. I have a tough time imagining anybody has a better finish, and if it they have to invest 15K to do so, they can have it.
Here is an interesting read on UV clears as applied to wood. Some good info.
Aloha
Wood Finishing with UV Curable Coatings
http://www.greenlightcoatings.com/PDF/Wood Finishing with UV Curable Coatings.pdf
Aloha
Wood Finishing with UV Curable Coatings
http://www.greenlightcoatings.com/PDF/Wood Finishing with UV Curable Coatings.pdf
It's a lot safer than CA and CAPoxy finish for sure .
A lot of UV finish aren't all that great though . Too thick and turn yellow after a while .
One basecoat that is really popular for it is also very dangerous ( Koa Insulator ).
The fish got bigger story ?
The technology should really be down to $2K already.
It's just a freaking lamp. :grin:
Very funny Joey.
1.). I don't fish
2.). You have much to learn my friend
Good Cue Making and have a wonderful day:thumbup:
http://uniqueinc.com/uv_curing_system
Only 10K.
Around 2001, my late mentor bought a lamp from Eddie Prewitt.
He experimented with it for a while .
Then decided auto clear was a better finish.
Went from Transtar to Chroma Clear to PPG .
This was discussed extensively before CueJo bought his setup.
http://www.cureuv.com/uv-guitar-finishing.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5t20rCu4xY
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RBC
Deceased
UV cured coatings can definitely be an excellent finish for cues, if done correctly.
As with anything, especially finish related, it takes time to work out the kinks and develop a process that works well.
Microwaves and the Ultra Violet light that cures UV coatings are the same thing. It's just energy at a particular wave length on the electromagnetic scale. If microwaves were at a different wave length, then it wouldn't cure the coatings.
Sure, there are systems out there that can cost tons of money, but they won't make a better or more cured finish. If you've got the right amount of light in the right wave length, then it's going to cure. Pretty damn quick too. There are even LED systems to cure UV finishes.
To me, it's all about the coating that you use, and how you apply it.
Some coatings are 100% solids, meaning that they don't have volatile solvents that have to gass off before, during or after the curing process.
Some coatings have solvents to help them be applied properly. It's best with these to let the cue rotate with the finish applied so the solvents can gass off before you cure it.
I know guys who mix different types of finish and are happy with it.
To me, it's all about how it buffs out. I recommend talking to the manufacturer of whatever UV finish you buy and follow their recommendations. It can be amazing what a difference just having the right buffing compound can make.
Royce
As with anything, especially finish related, it takes time to work out the kinks and develop a process that works well.
Microwaves and the Ultra Violet light that cures UV coatings are the same thing. It's just energy at a particular wave length on the electromagnetic scale. If microwaves were at a different wave length, then it wouldn't cure the coatings.
Sure, there are systems out there that can cost tons of money, but they won't make a better or more cured finish. If you've got the right amount of light in the right wave length, then it's going to cure. Pretty damn quick too. There are even LED systems to cure UV finishes.
To me, it's all about the coating that you use, and how you apply it.
Some coatings are 100% solids, meaning that they don't have volatile solvents that have to gass off before, during or after the curing process.
Some coatings have solvents to help them be applied properly. It's best with these to let the cue rotate with the finish applied so the solvents can gass off before you cure it.
I know guys who mix different types of finish and are happy with it.
To me, it's all about how it buffs out. I recommend talking to the manufacturer of whatever UV finish you buy and follow their recommendations. It can be amazing what a difference just having the right buffing compound can make.
Royce