pachieh Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 1st time posting, long time lurker... I had a good friend turn a bunch of cocobolo into speaker connector covers (see pic below showing a representation of what I wanted him to do) as I am building some cables right now for my listening room. I'd like to get a high gloss finish on the cocobolo as my speakers (Aerial Acoustics 6Ts) are a high gloss rosewood as well. I've seen everything from shellac+wax to CA used for a high gloss finish. I have shellac plus some very high quality car wax (Griots Garage Best in Show wax) that are already on hand. I've also seen EEE Ultrashine as a possibility, although its a cut n' polish which may not work over shellac. What have you all used or recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 Rattle can gloss laquer comes to mind first. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 Rattle can gloss laquer comes to mind first. Yep.. Something like Deft. Would be more work but, General Finishes Arm-R-Seal gloss might work well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachieh Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 So something like Arm-R-Seal, I'm guessing after application to use a progressively higher sandpaper grit and then buffing at the end? The GF site says to use a paste wax... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 You could but, you also might not need it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 4, 2015 Report Share Posted January 4, 2015 On small pieces like that, clear nail polish works well. Basically lacquer, it is formlated to flow out smooth when brushed. Cleans with acetone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 4, 2015 Report Share Posted January 4, 2015 I still think put it on a pencil and spray it while twisting, recoat in an hour or so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachieh Posted January 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2015 Ordered a pint of Arm-R-Seal (Gloss) last night from Rocker... We'll see how that works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike M Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I would sand to 400-600, buff with a mild abrasive such as tripoli and/or white rouge then polish with a hard wax. If this sounds like the Beall buffing system, it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phinds Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I would sand to 400-600, buff with a mild abrasive such as tripoli and/or white rouge then polish with a hard wax. If this sounds like the Beall buffing system, it is. I'd do that but skip the wax. Cocobolo is so naturally oily that you often don't need it if you do a fine buff. EDIT: hm ... that's odd. I'm logged in as me but the posting avatar says "guests" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 EDIT: hm ... that's odd. I'm logged in as me but the posting avatar says "guests" You're posting correctly, just refresh your screen and you'll see it's really you.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phinds Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 You're posting correctly, just refresh your screen and you'll see it's really you.. Ah. So I do. .Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachieh Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 So I'm finally getting around to doing this. Did a coat of dewaxed shellac, sanded lightly, then put the arm-r-seal on top. Nice glossy finish, just that after 24 hours (in my house at 68 degrees) of drying, it is still tacky. I figured with a shellac sealer, no oils from the cocobolo should be affecting the poly finish. Any ideas? Wait longer??? Heat gun to accelerate drying? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phinds Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 So I'm finally getting around to doing this. Did a coat of dewaxed shellac, sanded lightly, then put the arm-r-seal on top. Nice glossy finish, just that after 24 hours (in my house at 68 degrees) of drying, it is still tacky. I figured with a shellac sealer, no oils from the cocobolo should be affecting the poly finish. Any ideas? Wait longer??? Heat gun to accelerate drying? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I always use 3 coats of dewaxed on cocobolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachieh Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Sorry, I meant to write that I did two coats of shellac. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phinds Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I'd expect that two coats of a 2lb or heavier solution should have done the trick. I use 3 coats of a 1lb to 1.5lb (I don't shoot for much precision on my weighing). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachieh Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 For what it's worth, I didn't cut the Zinniser shellac from the can at all... Full strength. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phinds Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 For what it's worth, I didn't cut the Zinniser shellac from the can at all... Full strength. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk That's probably a 3lb cut. I make my own from dewaxed flakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachieh Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 About 10 of the 20 cured enough so I was able to get a second coat on. Other 10 are still a little tacky after a week in 65 degree temps. I'm near the decision point to either sand lightly and do another coat of shellac before the poly again or a heat gun. Not sure if a heat gun will work though to accelerate the drying time... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 Check the date on your can of shellac. Zinser claims a 2 or 3 year shelf life, but eventually, even it will "go bad", and not cure properly. Did you notice if the shellac was well hardened before applying the ARS? Any gumminess when sanding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I would strip it all off and go with the rattle can laquer. You could have been done days ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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