How to Finish Micarta?

[Nic.]

I sand to 320 at the finest. Some I will leave at 120 and some will go to 220. I do this by hand like I was finishing wood. No oil or wax. If it gets dirty and needs freshened up wash it in the kitchen sink with some dish detergent and it will look like the day you finished it.

This was some homemade burlap mycarta finished to 320. The fibers are very short and fine but when they get wet they still swell and stand at attention to aid in grip.

Ok, thank you! That looks really nice! I'll try out a few ways, see what comes out the best!

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I've made a number of scales with mycarta. The burlap on this was only exposed until I sanded it. The pins presented no problems either.

I take it up to 1000 grit then follow by buffing using white (for plastics) buffing compound. The epoxy is close enough to plastic to buff nicely.

 

[viral]

I've made a number of scales with mycarta. The burlap on this was only exposed until I sanded it. The pins presented no problems either.

I take it up to 1000 grit then follow by buffing using white (for plastics) buffing compound. The epoxy is close enough to plastic to buff nicely.

What do you use to get that brilliant green? And what kind of resin do you use? I use bondo resin and coffee bags I got from menards for .99 mine have big fibers like 3/32 or so. It's like string

 

[jdm61]

Epoxy is the top of the heap in the plastics world. its only problem is that most types of it are sensitive to degradation by UV light unless it is coated/covered. That is why very expensive custom wood or composite boats that use epoxy resin are typically painted with very expense UV resistant paint like Awlgrip instead of being gel coated like polyester or vinylester resin construction.

I've made a number of scales with mycarta. The burlap on this was only exposed until I sanded it. The pins presented no problems either.

I take it up to 1000 grit then follow by buffing using white (for plastics) buffing compound. The epoxy is close enough to plastic to buff nicely.

 

[ChristoDart]

I do most my shaping on a 36 then 60 grit belt. Then hand sand normally 100,120,220,320,400 and sometimes lightly hit it with 800. Then end of the 320 and then entire time I sand with 400 and 800 I use windex. I then buff with a cotton wheel and white compound. If I want to short cut it I'll sand up to 320 then throw on some wd-40 and buff. Hope that helps some. Good luck to Ya. I love the way it comes out but hate how easily it burns compared to g10.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

What do you use to get that brilliant green? And what kind of resin do you use? I use bondo resin and coffee bags I got from menards for .99 mine have big fibers like 3/32 or so. It's like string

Epoxy pigment. There are a bunch of brands and colors to choose from. On that particular block I used yellow burlap and green pigment. The pin stock is the same burlap, only I didn't add pigment to the resin.

I should have said resin in my first post. I use Bondo as well. The 100% waterproof stuff for boats.

 

[Nic.]

I've made a number of scales with mycarta. The burlap on this was only exposed until I sanded it. The pins presented no problem





I take it up to 1000 grit then follow by buffing using white (for plastics) buffing compound. The epoxy is close enough to plastic to buff nicely.

Ok, thank you! That green is really cool.

 

[Nic.]

I do most my shaping on a 36 then 60 grit belt. Then hand sand normally 100,120,220,320,400 and sometimes lightly hit it with 800. Then end of the 320 and then entire time I sand with 400 and 800 I use windex. I then buff with a cotton wheel and white compound. If I want to short cut it I'll sand up to 320 then throw on some wd-40 and buff. Hope that helps some. Good luck to Ya. I love the way it comes out but hate how easily it burns compared to g10.

Hey, thanks so much for the info! Your work is really neat!

 

[viral]

Epoxy pigment. There are a bunch of brands and colors to choose from. On that particular block I used yellow burlap and green pigment. The pin stock is the same burlap, only I didn't add pigment to the resin.

I should have said resin in my first post. I use Bondo as well. The 100% waterproof stuff for boats.

I've done some looking at the pigments, I'm not really sure which brand to get. I'm looking at a composite dye/casting dye in brown. It's on the flea bay. I'm wondering if the brown is really dark or just a nice rich brown. Any experience with it?

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I've done some looking at the pigments, I'm not really sure which brand to get. I'm looking at a composite dye/casting dye in brown. It's on the flea bay. I'm wondering if the brown is really dark or just a nice rich brown. Any experience with it?

I use Evercoat "Coloring Agent".

They have a bunch of colors on ebay, including brown. I've only used red, yellow, green, white and I think blue. I think you may be able to find less expensive stuff, but Evercoat works great for me.

 

[viral]

I use Evercoat "Coloring Agent".

They have a bunch of colors on ebay, including brown. I've only used red, yellow, green, white and I think blue. I think you may be able to find less expensive stuff, but Evercoat works great for me.

That's what I needed! Thanks.

 

[ChristoDart]

Thanks Nic! Post some pics when you're finished please

 

[Nic.]

Thanks Nic! Post some pics when you're finished please

Will do! I'm excited to try all these different ways if doing it and seeing what I like! Thanks!