Working with diamond paste

[Slim7]

I need some info on working with 25% concentration 1micron diamond paste on balsa wood. I am actually using it with straight razors after my Naniwa 12k. I want to use very little paste, but I want to embed the diamonds into the grain of the balsa, by running it into the grain with my hands. I don't want to slather it on. The paste I am going to use is oil based, and I am only going to apply 3 bbs sized drops to a 3"*12' balsa strop, I just want a even and light coverage. I was wandering if mineral spirits would do the trick? Maybe put some mineral spirits in a small spray mist bottle and just spray lightly the surface of the balsa, then apply the paste from the syringe and then rubb in?

 

[115Italian]

Heat the surface with a hair dryer or something similar. That helps the paste get absorbed.

I personally don’t agree with the amount of paste you want to use. I would put enough past on to evenly coat the balsa with a fine layer. Then heat everything and run it in. Let cool. But it’s your call.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

I think if you want a very light coating you should mix the paste with a thinner before applying it, rather than hoping it will mix after it is applied. Test to see if the thinner will raise the grain of the wood as you may not want that.

 

[wade7575]

S Slim7 I use a 20 carat paste and I use it on wood and leather,I find the best thing to is to just apply the paste and let it dry over night,with balsa it's a soft enough wood the diamonds will push into the wood anyway.

If you let the paste dry it also help's to hold them on the surface,where did you get your diamond paste.

 

[ToddS]

Non-intuitively, the less you put on the more effective it will be. I would try 1/4 inch dots spaced an inch apart to start. The most effective area will be around the perimeter of the dots as the compounds get spread out with use. You can always add more...

 

[Slim7]

I think if you want a very light coating you should mix the paste with a thinner before applying it, rather than hoping it will mix after it is applied. Test to see if the thinner will raise the grain of the wood as you may not want that.

So it would not be a good idea to lightly mist the balsa with mineral spirits then apply paste, then work in?

 

[Mr.Wizard]

ToddS This is the first time I've heard this. I have read not to overload polishing pads but nothing this specific. Do I understand your recommendation to be an interrupted polka-dot pattern, and that this is more effective than a continuous layer not merely more frugal? Would you mind describing how this is so?

S Slim7 I don't know, I haven't tried that. It simply seemed easier to get an even dilution before applying instead of after.

 

[ToddS]

ToddS This is the first time I've heard this. I have read not to overload polishing pads but nothing this specific. Do I understand your recommendation to be an interrupted polka-dot pattern, and that this is more effective than a continuous layer not merely more frugal? Would you mind describing how this is so?

With straight razors, it's critical to not "plaster down" the loose wood fibers on the surface of the balsa. The most effective area will be the perimeter of the dots where there is only a small amount of grit on otherwise "clean" wood fibers.