DIY UV finishing booth

Dave38

Dave38

theemperorhasnoclotheson
Silver Member
Does anyone want to share any pictures or descriptions of their own DIY UV curing booths? I am thinking on going this route instead of the finish I am currently using. I don't have $1000's of dollars to buy a pre-done unit. Any info/help regarding UV finishing is appreciated. I have done google searches and not really found a good source of info.
Dave
 
He said he was going to get the four bulb one on there site. I think it's around 200-300.

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If you watch the application video, when he pours it into his bucket there is definite blue/green tone to the clear. Now I don't know if that will show in your finished product or not but it is a consideration. The automotive clear I use is crystal clear, no undertones.
 
For anyone considering a new finishing sysytem they should be aware of all the variables. Clarity of the clear is important to some people. That is the only reason I mentioned it. If a little undertone of colour doesnt bother you then great. Happy cue making.:)
 
A lot of finishes dry clear. Epoxy,UV,water based. None of these are clear but they dry clear if apllied properly. Happy cue building to you also.

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DD Custom Cues said:
Check out http://solarez.com/ . Bob Owen just changed to this and I'm gonna place an order real soon.

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The finish Solarez sells is very thick though.
You have to use a brush . I'm not too crazy about brush on finish.
Not too bad as sealer or base coat.
But, for finish ?
Got one that you can spray over an epoxy base ?
 
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I believe Bob said he had to warm it to thin in down and get it to level out.

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DD Custom Cues said:
I believe Bob said he had to warm it to thin in down and get it to level out.

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K, thanks .
The one I tried was not this one.
http://solarez.com/products/solarez-polyester-gloss-resin/
Maybe that's the one he uses.
This is the one I tried.
http://solarez.com/products/vinyl-ester-epoxy-gloss-resin-with-nano-quartz/
Forget about it on this one. Way too filmy. Surfboard makers can use it.
Not for us.

Sounds like another worthwhile project.
http://solarez.com/products/vinyl-ester-epoxy-gloss-resin-with-nano-quartz/
It sure would be nice to spray and just lower the lamp while the cue is spinning. Then it's done.
So long as that finish is rock hard of course. They say it's " sandable" and can be polished. It'd be nice if you didn't have to sand it at all of course.
 
Yea Bob is using the one from your first link. That's the one I'm going to try also. He showed some pics on facebook and it looks nice. He is brushing it.

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It is Bob Smith not Bob Owen that switched to this. Sorry Mr Owen if you see this.

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I have an email into these guys and hopefully they have some good answers. I did watch the videos and also read the notes about thinning. Doesn't sound like something to spray, but if warming it before hand makes it like water as they say it does, when you turn something slow enough that cannot harden before you want it to, it should smooth out well. Considering most epoxy finishes don't do that well as I'd like, at least this needs a light source to start the cure process, so as long as you can get this to flow out before doing it....this may work well. I'm hoping they are willing to sell a sample so I'm not stuck with a gallon that I can't use if it doesn't pan out....got enough jugs of finish to supply a furniture company by now....:mad:
Dave
 
I missed the 4oz bottle, thanks. I heard back from Solorez and one of the things mentioned was they told me that if using Phenolic, they will have to formulate a different UV endgrain sealer as the normal one on their site doesn't stick well to it. They say it can be sprayed, but applying it by brush was the best way after warming it. I'll be calling them this week to get more info and place a small order. So far this is starting to sound promising. Once I get it and try it, I'll post a review.
Dave
 
Dave38 said:
I missed the 4oz bottle, thanks. I heard back from Solorez and one of the things mentioned was they told me that if using Phenolic, they will have to formulate a different UV endgrain sealer as the normal one on their site doesn't stick well to it. They say it can be sprayed, but applying it by brush was the best way after warming it. I'll be calling them this week to get more info and place a small order. So far this is starting to sound promising. Once I get it and try it, I'll post a review.
Dave
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This thread is a few months old but I was curious how this has turned out for you Dave?
 
I tried the Dual Cure Polyester Gloss Resin.

This is perhaps the most toxic smelling stuff I've ever had in my shop. Really nasty.

Quite thin and runny even at room temperature.
Cured fast, hard and very clear on the small (4 inch square) surf board repair I did for a friend. I tried both sunlight to cure it and a very strong, nasty, dangerous UV light left over from my mad scientist days long ago. (I used it to mutate cultures back then.)
Both worked well.

I'll never use it on cues. The smell is just plain evil!

Robin Snyder < Doesn't want to mutate.
 
First, I have to give a lot of thanks to Dick Neighbors for his help on building the UV 'tunnel'. He was very kind and shared his knowledge with me. It was greatly appreciated Dick, Thanks.

I am just finishing up the first complete cue with it and once done, will give a full review. I have done a couple shafts and one butt and am very happy with it so far. There is a learning curve that I'm still on, but the amount of time saved more than makes up for the learning time.
Robin, how long ago did you try it? The gloss resin I am using is thick, I have had to thin it 10%, and the smell isn't too bad, compared to the sealer...The diamond clear I was using is a lot more smelly and actually is toxic.
I will be posting pictures of the booth and cue once I'm done.
Dave
 
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