Coal finish

[ripjack13]

Ok. So today I found one of my old coal blanks on the shelf that @rocky1 made for me a few years ago. Its 10.5 sized tube for the american patriot rollerball, but it also fits the artisan magnetic rollerball. The first time I used
Ca on it and it came out shiny and smooth. This one here I just used one step from psi. And wax. I'm not diggin it.
Thoughts?

 

[ripjack13]

Here's the original i was referring to...

Crushed Coal Pen.

Here's an American Patriot rollerball with some crushed up coal @rocky1 cast for me, with some silmar41. It turned nicely, and finishing it was a bear. Hard to tell whats pitted, and what needed sanding. Finished with lots of coats of ca, and wax finish.

woodbarter.com

 

[trc65]

Don't really care for it either. Surface looks uneven with the variable sheen in areas, probably the nature of the exposed coal vs the resin. I think you'd get a much better finish with CA although it may take lots of coats and sanding to fill surface imperfections and get a nice smooth gloss finish.

 

[barry richardson]

A Matt finish might work better, maybe look more like coal, just thinking out loud....

 

[Nature Man]

CA better than new attempt. Seems like a lot of effort for either. Wonder how it would compare with Ebony wood, or ABW? Chuck

 

[duncsuss]

Like you - this doesn't appeal to me.

I'd go with CA to get it shiny & smooth, then knock it back to a satin finish by hand sanding the length of the barrel with 320 or 400 grit (not running the lathe).

 

[ripjack13]

CA better than new attempt. Seems like a lot of effort for either. Wonder how it would compare with Ebony wood, or ABW? Chuck

That wasn't what I was after Chuck. I wanted to be able to see the coal pieces. I had them originally cast for a guy on another forum whose family worked the coal.

 

[Arn213]

Black is one of the hardest to get a clarity finish- I can speak off in guitars in general…….the “Black Piano” finish. I am not sure if that sort of surface texture is the product of material itself, if it is, then putting a glossier finish will highlight those visual texture. So you would probably have to go steps down to a “low luster” finish without the sheen. The only other thing I can offer is to wet sand it between coats using micro mesh- you go higher up as you get to more coats. Then I recommend using a buffing compound with a buffing wheel (or a hand held type to get the job done) to give you as close to that “piano finish”. This process is one way electric guitars are finished.

Which brings me to this…….I have had this drafting pencil since College. It is a point of visual reference. You can see the upper part is finished in a “satin” luster and when you get to the lead section where you grip it, it is more textural and has a matte finish.