Achieving success with melamine as a finish

[Neil Lawton]

I've been using Phils method before I knew who he was!
Works fine for me.

 

[Penpal]

My son in law and his father were using it forever ago it seems resorted to making their own version because of the price. Neat to know Phil these days with his explanations re the use of. How are you travelling right now Neil.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

Looking on hiternet so many types of s/sealer here, getting confusing.
Ubeaut s/sealer is a dangerous goods.

 

[GSteer]

Quick question regarding temperature. There's a note on the Chestnut Acrylic bottles not to use below 15deg ambient but nothing on the Melamine. I'm presuming this is the difference between water/solvent based for drying times.

But what temperature is everyone's workshops where you're applying melamine? I'm think I might be trying to apply whilst a little cold (14 deg yesterday) which is adding to my catching. along with too much lacquer and a currently inexperienced technique.

 

[yorkshireman]

I've been using the melamine for the past couple of months Greg and never gave temperature a thought. It's worked every time for me at cool temperatures. Try putting it on with the lathe switched off, turning the blank by hand as you apply it. When the melamine starts to 'grab' then burnish it. Hope that makes sense. It's a pity you weren't nearer north wales or I'd nip round and show you.

 

[GSteer]

Thanks for the info Keith, that removes one variable from the list!

 

[donwatson]

Thanks for this Phil. I have downloaded the file and printed it for use in the shed.
I have some pens to make from the clients supplied wood, whisky barrel staves.
I have made an Axminster Gold Stylus Pen and I can't in all truth sell it due to its inferior finish.
I will try your method and let you know how I get on.
take care
Don W
PS I couldn't get a smooth finish. I used a skew to size then J-Cloth down to 400 grit. I used the method you described but still have grooves/splits in the wood. I will check out your method and let you know.

 

[rayberry]

Thank you for doing this Phil. It was well worth it for me. You can't beat a tried and tested yet fairly quick and simple method.

Take care

Ray

 

[21William]

I’m sure I read somewhere else that another wood turner gets a gloss finish with Melamine by letting it dry for a few days and then buffing it to a gloss with mops and compounds. Final finish was I believe microcrystalline wax. Obviously no one on here has tried this yet. Maybe pens could also be dipped in Melamine rather than wiping it on?

 

[cookie21]

What a change, a few years ago I felt I was the only person using Melamine, everybody else seemed to be going on about C.A. all the time

 

[Logjockey]

An interesting screed well explained.

 

[Seb]

Thank you for this Phil. I've picked up some Melamine Lacquer, so will be testing this out shortly. I use a mandrel for my slimline kits, and generally do a non-CA finish. Would you suggest using HDPE bushings with Melamine or does it not quite cause the problems that CA does with regular bushings?

p.s I'm just on your site now, so will be looking to order some new kits shortly. Cheers.

 

[Phil Dart]

I've never used anything but the kit bushes Seb. It doesn't stick or have the same viscosity as CA, so I've never experienced a problem using the normal bushes. A quick tidy up of the ends of the barrels would do no harm if the melamine has dribbled a bit between the work piece and the bushes. Just hold it perpendicular to a piece of 400 grit and give it a couple of passes. Usually though, the melamine soaks in to the end grain, and there is no need.
.

 

[geordie0928]

Being a newbie to this game any hints or tips are most welcome. Thanks Phil, they have gone into my folder for reference.

:wink::wink:

 

[Seb]

I've never used anything but the kit bushes Seb. It doesn't stick or have the same viscosity as CA, so I've never experienced a problem using the normal bushes. A quick tidy up of the ends of the barrels would do no harm if the melamine has dribbled a bit between the work piece and the bushes. Just hold it perpendicular to a piece of 400 grit and give it a couple of passes. Usually though, the melamine soaks in to the end grain, and there is no need.
.

Cheers Phil, I appreciate this.

 

[Skil Phil]

Thanks Phil,
Easy to follow.
I found a supplier is South Africa for Chesnut products.
The price equates to 20 Pounds where Axminster's price is 9 Pounds for a 500ml tin.
The sanding sealer price is totally ridiculous.
With the exchange rate rocketing it will be a terrible price for the next shipment.
Better get some when the lock down is over while there is still stock.
What is the shelf life? Maybe I should get 2 tins.

Phil

 

[Penpal]

Twenty years ago in the UK my son in law with his Father made their own Melamine,when he migrated he had been turning for some years, he found various cuts of the Melamine formula enabled various finishes,his advice to me was beware of the fumes.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

Twenty years ago in the UK my son in law with his Father made their own Melamine,when he migrated he had been turning for some years, he found various cuts of the Melamine formula enabled various finishes,his advice to me was beware of the fumes.

Peter.

Any chance of getting their recipe Peter.:pray:

 

[golum]

Having tried various ways to apply melamine lacquer, I have finally discovered what works best form me...

I got a modelers airbrush, and apply 5 = 6 thin spray coats leaving about 1 min between each coat....
to spray the lacquer (I use chestnut ) dilute it with about 10-20% acetone (and use a good grade 99% at least, or your finish will be cloudy) you only need about 2 ml of the diluted lacquer to give you the 6 coats...then fill the cup with acetone and spray outside till empty to clean the brush or you will irredeemably clog it. :nonono:
leave for 5 mins and the finish is hard enough to handle.

Dont over spray/over coat.
keep the work spinning
DO wait between coats
and a coat of sanding sealer underneath helps.

of course your mileage may vary, but it works well for me

 

[geordie0928]

Well it looks like Phil comes top, cheers Phil really good write up, will give it a go.