Cue Finishes

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jttheclockman

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Hello all. I was wondering what type of finish is used on pool cues. They seem to have a shiney finish that stands up well. The reason I ask is I was wondering if I could use this method in my pen turning hobby. Currently I use CA glue as the finish of choice but I am open to new and alternative finishes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
John T.
 
There are a dozen of the most used but many others......... CA is used for cues, mostly over an epoxy base coat.....

Search here .... there have been lots of conversations on this subject.

Kim
 
jttheclockman said:
Hello all. I was wondering what type of finish is used on pool cues. They seem to have a shiney finish that stands up well. The reason I ask is I was wondering if I could use this method in my pen turning hobby. Currently I use CA glue as the finish of choice but I am open to new and alternative finishes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
John T.
Click to expand...

I've been turning for some time and just to preface I'm no fan of CA. You have a few options depending on how far you want to take it. You can spray clear similar to a lot of cue makers but the only way you want to do that is if you turn pens in bulk. Its a lot of work to prep and set up to spray a single pen...most importantly return on time. You could always use an airbrush.

Spraying clear out of a rattle can is a bit more feasible. I hear Deft lacquer is good but I've never tried it.

Wood Turners Finish is a nice alternative because you can build the layers to a nice thick coat and polish down using micro mesh. I wouldn't use this on a cue because of the size and time but for small work like pens its does well.

Here's a shot of Wood Turners Finish. Approx 15 layers.



The other nice thing about Wood Turners is that if you just want to use it as a sealer it can leave a nice matte tone like this. 2 layers.

 
whammo57 said:
There are a dozen of the most used but many others......... CA is used for cues, mostly over an epoxy base coat.....

Search here .... there have been lots of conversations on this subject.

Kim
Click to expand...

When you say search here does that mean in this forum??? Could you supply a link or 2?? Thanks.
 
Bishop said:
I've been turning for some time and just to preface I'm no fan of CA. You have a few options depending on how far you want to take it. You can spray clear similar to a lot of cue makers but the only way you want to do that is if you turn pens in bulk. Its a lot of work to prep and set up to spray a single pen...most importantly return on time. You could always use an airbrush.

Spraying clear out of a rattle can is a bit more feasible. I hear Deft lacquer is good but I've never tried it.

Wood Turners Finish is a nice alternative because you can build the layers to a nice thick coat and polish down using micro mesh. I wouldn't use this on a cue because of the size and time but for small work like pens its does well.

Here's a shot of Wood Turners Finish. Approx 15 layers.



The other nice thing about Wood Turners is that if you just want to use it as a sealer it can leave a nice matte tone like this. 2 layers.

Click to expand...


CA is an excellent finish for pens...... its inexpensive, easy to apply, and fast..... if you are not using it you are missing something...........

search .....WATER, BORNE, FINISH.... on this forum for more information...........

Kim
 
I love the look of that first pen. Job well done. I do use CA as a pen finish but was looking for other alternatives and being pool cues get so much hands on use I figure the finish used on them could be great for a pen.

Let me ask the question this way. If you were to put a linen wrap on a pen what finish would you use?? I am going to assume something must be used to keep the color from changinging plus the fact of getting bubbles in the finish could be a problem. Thanks.
 
whammo57 said:
CA is an excellent finish for pens...... its inexpensive, easy to apply, and fast..... if you are not using it you are missing something...........

search .....WATER, BORNE, FINISH.... on this forum for more information...........

Kim
Click to expand...
I started with CA Kim. To each their own. I have not found CA to stand the test of time. I do agree that it's cost effective and easy to apply, fast, etc. But with the variety of available finishes these day I'm not compelled to ever go back to CA.

Wood Turners Finish is a great example of a finish that applies as easily as CA but holds up much better to drastic changes in temperature and daily beatings in my pocket. I've never even run into the rare hazing or cracking like you do every now and then with CA.

General Finishes has a waterborne finish I've been wanting to test. Thanks for the heads up, I'll give it some research and look.

jttheclockman said:
I love the look of that first pen. Job well done. I do use CA as a pen finish but was looking for other alternatives and being pool cues get so much hands on use I figure the finish used on them could be great for a pen.

Let me ask the question this way. If you were to put a linen wrap on a pen what finish would you use?? I am going to assume something must be used to keep the color from changinging plus the fact of getting bubbles in the finish could be a problem. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Not sure I understand the question. You mean a finish over the wrap ala Meucci?

I would think a poly would do the trick.

Have you tried Minwax? They make a clear gloss poly that works well. They also offer a lacquer that can be sprayed or wiped on.

I've used the poly with great success.

These three are all finished with Minwax poly out a rattle can available at home depot.

The key is to re-coat every 45 minutes until desired thickness. Don't let it go more than an hour or two. I like about 6 coats and you can put it on pretty generously without causing it to run. Then let it rest for 3-5 days. After curing I like to micro mesh up to 12,000 and buff



.
 
I may have to try Woodturner's finish. I do not like the look of polys. Too plastic looking. Lacquer is a great finish but not sure about durability on a pen. CA does not leave the same plastic look and in fact the more coats used the deeper the look. Somewhat like lacquer. I am working on a billiard looking pen and in fact a couple different looks and one will have a nylon weave. So I need to keep the color true before I cast it in clear acrylic. I may have to try the stuff alot of rod makers use on their weaves. If i am successful I will post my pens here. Thanks.
 
I applied CA to a pen with a white paper towel. My result was the towel caught fire in my hand. Careful with CA if anyone uses it. If the fire doesn't kill you the CA fumes will.
Those pens are outstanding. Nice work. When I get to Cue Refinish/Finish stage I will try
the Wood Turners Finish.
 
GoldCrown said:
I applied CA to a pen with a white paper towel. My result was the towel caught fire in my hand. Careful with CA if anyone uses it. If the fire doesn't kill you the CA fumes will.
Those pens are outstanding. Nice work. When I get to Cue Refinish/Finish stage I will try
the Wood Turners Finish.
Click to expand...

Use a sandwich bag over a finger
 
GoldCrown said:
I applied CA to a pen with a white paper towel. My result was the towel caught fire in my hand. Careful with CA if anyone uses it. If the fire doesn't kill you the CA fumes will.
Those pens are outstanding. Nice work. When I get to Cue Refinish/Finish stage I will try
the Wood Turners Finish.
Click to expand...

Hi,

My friend Todd produces a great finish that is awesome using thin CA.

He has taught me how to do it and I use it to do repairs but I personally use my spray booth as my preference in my system.

When I use CA to blend a repair I have found the the paper towels without a lint factor works best for me.

I call them hard towels. They are standard C Fold commercial hand towel for restrarunte washrooms. Easy to order on the Internet or purchase at Gordon Food Services or any other supplier of such things.

Rick



 
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I don't have nearly the experience that most of the other responders have, but I too was disappointed with CA finishes when I first tried them. Now I didn't ever catch a paper towel on fire, but I did produce smoke/fumes one time:eek:
Anyway, the point of this is that I kept reading about how good CA finishes could be, so I saw this kit at Woodcraft and bought it.
851687.jpg

I have been very pleased with the results. I don't try to finish whole cues with it, but use it for small finish repairs, joint protectors, etc. Having the accelerator handy to flash each coat seems pretty much mandatory.
My 2 cents,
Gary
 
GBCues said:
I don't have nearly the experience that most of the other responders have, but I too was disappointed with CA finishes when I first tried them. Now I didn't ever catch a paper towel on fire, but I did produce smoke/fumes one time:eek:
Anyway, the point of this is that I kept reading about how good CA finishes could be, so I saw this kit at Woodcraft and bought it.
851687.jpg

I have been very pleased with the results. I don't try to finish whole cues with it, but use it for small finish repairs, joint protectors, etc. Having the accelerator handy to flash each coat seems pretty much mandatory.
My 2 cents,
Gary
Click to expand...

I use it sometimes and Stick Fast is sold as a finish.... I use it and it works....

Kim
 
white paper towels

GoldCrown said:
Thanks Ellis......Or a blue shop towel I was told.
Click to expand...

I do not use Ca very much anymore, the white towel have something in them that activates the CA and makes it dry faster.
The blue shop towels work the best.

The fumes off of the CA is deadly over periods of time if not using the right gear.
 
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