Best Clear Finish???

[firefighter]

I'm turning some pens for a fellow retiring Fire Fighter. Been toying with using a torch to apply a light scorching. Got it looking the way I want, but I need a good clear finish that won't smudge the finish. I've tried some laquer spray and even played with mixing shellac and putting it in a pump bottle. Not convinced I have come across the best solution yet. Any thoughts?

[Arlin Eastman]

I'm turning some pens for a fellow retiring Fire Fighter. Been toying with using a torch to apply a light scorching. Got it looking the way I want, but I need a good clear finish that won't smudge the finish. I've tried some laquer spray and even played with mixing shellac and putting it in a pump bottle. Not convinced I have come across the best solution yet. Any thoughts?

For the last 3 years we have been using our air brush that I got from ebay for $24 and working great all that time.  I use acetone to clean it up and take it all apart each time and use lite oil on the needle packing and other things.

[Wipedout]

For the last 3 years we have been using our air brush that I got from ebay for $24 and working great all that time.  I use acetone to clean it up and take it all apart each time and use lite oil on the needle packing and other things.

what are you spraying in the airbrush?

[Arlin Eastman]

what are you spraying in the airbrush?

Sorry

Thin CA glue.  I also do not spray it in the lathe but on a nail that I hold.

[chips ahoy]

I use wipe on poly a lot,but you may run into a smudge problem.You could test it on another piece of wood and see what happens.

Mel

[firefighter]

I shouldn't think but I'm playing around with red dye and a torch to give the impression of smoke and fire. May complicate the finish problem.

[daddo]

I shouldn't think but I'm playing around with red dye and a torch to give the impression of smoke and fire. May complicate the finish problem.

 With practice, the soot from a candle will give you those types of effects and is much better than a torch that just burns..

[firefighter]

 With practice, the soot from a candle will give you those types of effects and is much better than a torch that just burns..

Nice tip! Never thought of that. Looking forward to giving it a try.

[SteveS]

African paduak is notorious for bleeding when using solvent based finishes like lacquer. To solve the problem I will either apply a hand applied coat first and rub out the bleed out or spray a couple very light coats so there isn't enough of a surface film for the bleed out to occur.