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Fit & Finish Fit and Finish = the difference in "good art" and "fine art." Join in, as we discuss the fine art of finish and embellishment.

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  #1  
Old 01-27-2012, 03:57 PM
le3045 le3045 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
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finishing micarta???

what progression of sanding before buffing and what buffing compound the red doesnt come off the micarta what is the final grit of paper before polishing and which compound to polish and how to remove buffing compound residue is what im asking thanks Lee
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Old 01-27-2012, 06:41 PM
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Robert Dark Robert Dark is offline
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Well hoss, I ain't much on buffing anything. I have seen too many makers use a buffer to "shine" up their mistakes.

On Micarta, I rough grind with a 60 grit, (and maybe a round file thrown in from time-to-time) then an 80 grit, then with a 220. Its all "by hand" from there on.

I usually start over by hand with 220 (Norton 3X), then to 400, 600, 800, and most times finish up with 1000. (Be aware that your micarta sands at different rates than your handle pin materials, so you will have to compensate in order for your pins not to come out "proud" of the micarta handle.

Once I have everything nice and smooth, I put on a couple of coats of "Teak" oil. It helps to seal the fibers in the Micarta. Put on a heavy coat and let it soak for about 30 minutes, then wipe the excess off. Let it dry overnight, then do it again. After it has dried, take a cotton cloth and rub the snotz out of it. It shines up like new money, and all the fibers are sealed.

Oh wait......... You asked about "buffing".......... Did I say "I don't buff"?

This is just my way of doing things, but your mileage may vary. I'm not an expert knifemaker, however, I did drive by a Holiday Inn one time.

Robert
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Old 01-27-2012, 07:36 PM
Doug Lester Doug Lester is offline
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I sand it out with wet/dry sandpaper using WD-40 to a fine a grit as I want and then just clean it up.

Doug


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Old 03-09-2012, 09:37 PM
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dbalfa dbalfa is offline
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If you just want to use the buffer, try the pink "no-scratch" rouge. It'll work and it wipes off with a little acetone or laquer thinner. It'll be quick and it will shine it like glass. HOWEVER, what you will probably see though is buffing will bring out any tiny scratches you should have gotten out with some version of the process Mr. Dark alluded to. No real short cuts around the elbow grease unfortunately....

Get you a thin piece of micarta or metal to use for a sandpaper backing to avoid leaving the bolts/pins raised above the handle (303 SS corbys will drive you insane!)


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Old 11-07-2012, 07:12 PM
bodiebill bodiebill is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
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micarta

What final coat if any do you use for finished Micarta?
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Old 11-11-2012, 11:40 AM
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BCROB BCROB is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug Lester View Post
I sand it out with wet/dry sandpaper using WD-40 to a fine a grit as I want and then just clean it up.

Doug
sir, what grit are you sanding to / finishing up with ?
thank you
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Old 11-11-2012, 12:37 PM
Doug Lester Doug Lester is offline
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I sand out to around 2000 grit and just wipe the excess WD-40 off. I'd be a little hesitant to use something like acetone but alcohol probably wouldn't react with the resin in the Micarta.

Doug


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coat, handle, knifemaker, micarta, pins, resin, sand


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