Bubbles
- Thread starter hadjcues
- Start date
hadjcues said:
Hadj,
My experience with spray work pre cue building craze That is, many things can cause bubbles, others could tell you better, but seems Things like air mixture, spray tips, air leaks, poor quality gun, thining problems, poor cleaning of equipment, or wore out gun that needs rebuilt, and several other things can cause problems.
On the leveling type of epoxies, seems as If I have heard of a plumbers torch of some kind being used to help level, and force air bubbles to the surface. I have not done that Myself, so would ask someone that knows before attempting It. I know of atleast one person on here that has does It, maybe He will chime in for you, If he reads this. Greg
hadjcues said:
if its a solvent based finnish, not enough atomization, or to thick of a coat.
if the coat is dumped on to thick the surface cures before the solvents have time to escape.
when you mix epoxy it whips air bubbles in it, again if it dries to fast the air doesnt escape, similar to finnish, but with epoxy you can vac it and it will dry clear no matter how thick.
Yes you can pop the bubbles in epoxy with a propane torch. Don't use butane as it will leave black soot in the finish. Water in your line will cause bubbles. Putting the finish on too thick. And failing to seal the cue before spraying can allow the wood to breath into the finish. This can be a problem with epoxy or spray finish. Seal your cue with epoxy or a super thin coat of finish before spraying the thicker finish coats. I quit building cues for a few months years ago because of tiny bubbles. Got a turbine HVLP system and it pretty much solved the problem.
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
I thought I better clarify that you can pop the bubbles in SOME epoxy, but not ALL epoxy with a torch. The bubbles in the Cue Cote epoxy finish will pop with a torch. Others may not. Some of the fast epoxies will be ruined by the heat.
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
I thought I better clarify that you can pop the bubbles in SOME epoxy, but not ALL epoxy with a torch. The bubbles in the Cue Cote epoxy finish will pop with a torch. Others may not. Some of the fast epoxies will be ruined by the heat.
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I would say from solvent, to much to fast. I would never use super glue.
So I would take it that filling under cut rings with epoxy would also be the best was to provide some elasticity for any movement in the trim as well. I think I am clear with the super type glues only used with the same type finish, and don't plan on doing those finishes anyway, but seems like i keep hearing about leveling under cut rings out with it, and such. seems too hard for that use to me also. I apprietiate you guys opinion as well, because you have some cues that have been out there for a while, therefore have seen the results over time, and have a better idea of what i can expect ahead of time. This is one of My concerns, as i still learn the hard way regardless of the help, but sure is nice when someone who has been there is willing to cough up some good suggestions, and save me some of the aggravation, so Thank you very much. undercutting silver trim, is another issue that we are discussing in the other thread, looking for clarification, and guidence on, what methods produce the best results with the least minimum effort, and time. I can think of a few, but have not tried them, because i have not used much silver in any cues so far. Any comments, or suggestions on that would be excellent. thanks again
Cue Crazy
If your still learning the hard way then you have my respect. Don't beleive what your hear, be a real craftsman and try it yourself. Only true knowledge is based on experience.
If your still learning the hard way then you have my respect. Don't beleive what your hear, be a real craftsman and try it yourself. Only true knowledge is based on experience.
Michael Webb said:
Thanks Michael,
Don't worry, as the saying goes, and i'm sure you've heard before, i was born at night but not last night. altough it might sound that way sometimes. Maybe cause i am a man of a few too many words instead of the opposite. I do tend to overanalize everything LOL, but like to think of It as a good thing even though may not sound that way, or come off that way to others. I only take what i hear with a grain of salt regardless, but do like to hear other experiences to compare with my own, in the end it seems that My best knowledge has come from personal experience in anything i have accomplished anyway, and so will always be the the case I hope, but still yet like to get others input, do not expect It from anyone that does not want to share, I would understand, but I for one would have no problem with sharing My experiences, and hope that anyone taking note would learn for theirself also, instead of even taking My word for it. being able to some what self teach Myself, has even kind of been kind of a curse in the past with many things, because I was the guy everyone came running to when something needed fixed. can't make a decent living when doing favors all the time. Needless to say i have never been one to not get my hands dirty, but also know that taking everything in concideration, and narrowing things down alittle for yourself with the input never hurts, so I try to be somewhat open minded, until i know otherwise is best for Myself from actual personal experience. Sometimes just might need some improvement in 1 or 2 areas therefore take feedback in before jumping back in for myself again. I am not afraid to get other opinions, as i am confident in the fact that no matter what, when it comes down I am the one getting to the bottom of it Myself. Opinions and others experience is just a tool to me, not the vehicle, i still have to drive down that road for myself, just the only way I know.
I can't see anyone just telling someone how to do this stuff anyhow, i am far from a complete stranger to it, and am fully aware somethings just come from the personal experience, and what works for another guy does not always get it for me anyway. The cue thing to me, whether repair, or building is just not that simple, and anyone that thinks it is should get out while the gettings good IMO. this does seem to take the more inclined type of individual, not everyones strong suit, so You got to be willing to deal with failure before the glory. My repair skills seem to be good now for the most part, something that in My opinion was learned from mostly hands on over the last 10 to 15, and the few cues I have built Hit well enough that I am content with that for now, altough will always work to build tooling for more improvement & tune My methods, and time to start working on the design element some now as well. I am still just having fun with it, but don't see me getting totally burned out like some, unless I take on more work then I can handle which could easily happen with all that is being thrown at me now. I am still taking small steps, working out of a small area, and taking things as slow as i can keep a lid on, but this year, or next will have to step up to a larger space, something I am working on now to try to get by for another five, ten years atleast. Yep, does'nt feel like anything has come easy yet, that's for sure, but don't find myself wanting to give up even with many a mountain to climb still. I hope that is a sign that I am on my way to being a craftsman, sure not getting any complaints these days from regulars, they keep coming back, and sending others to us. that's one of the main reasons i am even still in the game. it's not for the money, cause i'm not getting rich at this point, but maybe able to see a living in it down the line, as we become better setup, and have more room to work from if i were to get some issues taken care of in other areas that are consuming time right now. we don't even look for work right now, and consumes most of, if not all of My spare time. i rarely even get to shoot pool anymore, something I have enjoyed for over 20 years. what do you think, sound like i got the fever to you? sure feels hot to me lol. I can sell you some real expensive firewood If you want to see for yourself some of the pain i have suffered in the past from personal experience before improving. But seriously, I do apprietiate the advise just the same If sincere. Altough, I might not always sound like it, I don't exactly feel like that much of a newbee, and have heard it before many a times. i do aggree, just a gimme to me i guess. I am well able to go it alone, and have more times then i can count, just simply like sharing ideas for what it is worth good or bad. hope that does not offend anyone, but I am sure i am not the only one willing to toss ideas back and forth. but may not set well with everyone who is not willing to share, can't, and won't blame them for that, but if out of Line for those who want to, I would apprietiate a heads up on It, as I may be missing something here if so, and don't want to do anything out of line. just trying to improve My methods for myself, and share with others, not trying to get any free teaching, or steal anyones ideas, as they are not worth all that to me. My own methods no matter how good will always be an open book in the future for those truelly willing to put the time in, to get ideas for narrowing their own decisions for theirself from, or those who are helpfull to me. To me that is all It really is. if for any reason this is out of line I will not post it here though. I will figure anything out for myself anyway at this point if had no choice, no matter how much patience, or time It takes, I do have that much confidence in my ability & determination no matter how long it takes, and It seems to show from those who have seen the results, otherwise why would they give us all their work, and send others to us. I don't claim to be the smartest, but not by far the slowest to learn for myself either. If I have any dought about anything, I am always overly Honest up front, sometimes even if that meens someone else gets the work. Some may know better then I, but i like to think I am on the right track here, and hope I am & will continue to be. I'm always open for suggestions if something is wrong in My thinking, so please feel free to let me know. Thanks Greg
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If the bubbles seem to show up more when you polish the finish out, try thinning your finish about 5-10% before applying to the cue. The bubbles are appearing because the flash time is too quick and air is being trapped under the surface. Thinning will increase the viscosity of the clear and allow the air to rise to the surface and release. Be careful what you use for thinning..... lacquer thinner in some cases will make a urethane finish more brittle. There are special thinners designed for urethanes (automotive of course), make sure you use the right one for your clear coat.
Mike
Mike
Hadj, I think it would help if you mention what finish you are using.
Ratio of mix ( what's the condition in your shop ( humidity and temp).
What gun, air pressure and filter of your air comp. setup.
Also, the prep job of course.
Ratio of mix ( what's the condition in your shop ( humidity and temp).
What gun, air pressure and filter of your air comp. setup.
Also, the prep job of course.
JoeyInCali said:
Well it just caught my fancy after reading something in another forum or thread bout complains about having air bubbles in a cues' finish. I haven't experienced it so far but know of its posibilities and want to be prepared once it rears its ugly head.
My main problem is getting rid of unsightly crap landing on a cue when the finish is yet to dry. Don't have a fixed set up for that yet. But it's on the way. MAybe we'll discuss it on another thread or maybe someone would give an input on a good paint booth design. Before I ruin mine LOL
