I started using a ca finish on a lot of my stuff last summer when I started turning pens. This past weekend I was working on a call made out of padauk and the finish turned out terrible. Everywhere where there is an open part of the grain there is a white spot like the finish didn't soak into the wood or something. On open grained woods should I be using a sanding sealer or something else before I apply the ca glue to avoid this happening in the future? As always any input is greatly appreciated.
On open grained material I usually do a sanding dust CA slurry grain fill. The way I do it is to sand through 320. Then as I sand with 400 i don't blow the dust off and leave the sand paper loaded up with dust. Next I apply the CA directly to the call or pen as the lathe is spinningand I am sanding. This will create a slurry that you can work across the material until it starts to dry. Last I hit it with a shot of accelerator and start back with 240 sanding through the CA coating and up to 600. The grain will stay filled and you will get a super smooth finish.
Alright, thanks. I'll have to give that a try this weekend.