Anybody using CA glue as a finish?

[HeeresJohnnny]

For small pieces I'm thinking about using a thin CA glue.  I tested this on a small piece of purple heart and I think it came out amazing.  Notice, for time sake, I didnt worry about the edges, but never mind that, look at that mirror finish!

 

My process was

3 coats thin CA glue 

Sand with 320

3 more coats CA glue 

Wet sand with 600, then 1k, then 2k

Finally I used a car polish first with a swirl remover buff pad, then with an ultra gloss buff pad.  Both done on a random orbital.  I used the edge of the buff pad as if it were a circular buffer because it was such a small piece.  

 

Let me know if you guys think.   Only took about an hour start to finish on this test piece 

[Scrappile]

Used it as my primary finish for pens for several years.

[tgiro]

Only on pens and small turned items - xmas ornaments, wine bottle toppers, kalaidiscopes,  that sort of stuff.

Since most of my scroll saw work is compound cut, 3-d, or intarsia, I never use it there - too much work & I don't always want shiny.

[WayneMahler]

I know a lot of people that use it for pens and other turned items that are smaller in size. Never tried it for anything else. 

[kmmcrafts]

I watched a video of a guy making rings out of thin veneer cut into strips and using the C/A glue to roll it and glue it.. he then finished the ring with the C/A.. first time I had heard of that as a finish.. but his rings are beautiful with the C/A finish

  

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I also use it on my pens and small things that are turned because it is real easy to polish out on a lathe. If i want shiny on a wood project lacquer is my choice. 

Kevin you could use that for your key chains instead of epoxy resins. The thing is this stuff smells and people do get an allergy when working with it. Needs good ventilation or use the no odor stuff. Little more expensive but for those it is worth it. need at least 2 formulas but maybe even better with 3. Thin to seal wood, med to build coats faster and thick to build coats even faster. But with each there is dry time and it increases with thickness. Now they sell n accelerator that when sprayed on cures the glue in seconds and you can move on and use more coats in one application.  something to explore. There are many brands out there but suggest you stay away from Stickfast. gets bad reviews many times. I use Satellite CA glues. (hot stuff)

[MrsN]

I used a CA finish on a couple of pendants, but I found I preferred a semi-gloss shine of lacquer. 

You did an great job getting a mirror like shine on that piece, very nice.

[Rolf]

Pens only. I don't care for the smell or fumes. I wear a half mask. you did get a nice polish on it. 

On my normal wood projects I avoid gloss.

Edited February 16, 2019 by Rolf

[Rockytime]

I've used CA on pens and did not like using it. My pens are dipped in a clear gloss lacquer.