wd-40 handle finish

Scott Davidson

Scott Davidson

Well-Known Member
Can anyone tell me do you do anything other than spray on the wd-40 ? I did'nt know if there was anything special to do but spray on the wd-40. I have a knife that i want to use this on the handles, but i have never used it. I have sprayed a piece of black canvas micarta , but it seems to dry out quickly . I have seen others do this and the finish stays deep and rich looking . I usually use a boiled linseed oil finish, on a blasted handle ,but after a while the handles seems to get dirty looking . Right now i am at a 220 grit sanded finish . Any help would be great. Scott
 

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I have never used WD-40 for a finish on handles. I have used canvas micarta, and G10, and I sand to 400 grit and buff on a buffer with white compound for a nice glossy finish. That is the only finish that should be needed for Micarta as it is sealed with the resins that are used in the manufacture of it. If you want a finish that has some grip to it, just sand to what ever grit suits you, and forget the buffing.
Hope this helps, Dale
 
Thanks Dale , the guy was not wanting a glossy finish. He was hoping for a dull but a rich black finish . I finished down to 220 grit and gently blasted , and followed up with a few coats of wd-40, and then wiped it down . I was really just after a non glare " rich " , deep ,finish but everything seems to just soak in and the handle dries out again.Scott
 
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Hey Scott,

I finish mine to 320 and don't buff. I rub on the handle with my hand for a while and it takes some of the 'white' look off it. After the knife is used for a while, the micarta will develop a kind of sheen but will not be glossy.

In a thread a while back, I believe Ed Caffrey said he uses Tru Oil on his and it lightly seals the micarta so it won't pick up stains. I intend to try it but need to make a special trip somewhere since Wally World has seen fit to be more politically correct and not carry it any more.

Take care,
Carey
 
I have used WD-40 in the past with pretty good results. On the last handles I blasted, I wiped on a little Mobile 1 (synthetic) oil. It also seemed to work pretty well. I don't remember what grit I stopped hand sanding at (probably 220), but I wouldn't go past 400 if you are using fairly coarse blasting media.
 
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Hey Scott,
If you look on Janik Knives forum photos you will see some combat knives I do with G10 handles, all are finished with WD40 or gun oil in an aerosal can. It can take up to 5 or 6 good spritzes to soak into the dry spots. Don't be afraid to spray it on till it drips then wipe off the excess. I tell my buyers to give it a spray when cleaning the knife or when you do seasonal gun maintainence.

Hope this helps,
Steve
 
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Scott,
Your micarta must be really dry. Hose it down a few times and let it sit. It will eventually stay dark. I've used Mil-Tec and CLP too.
-John
 
Hello Scott,
Here is another idea. Seal the micarta with fast set epoxy by mixing it up spreading it evenly over the micarta then wipe it off like you wish you had not put it on. It leaves the micarta looking dark and rich with out a wet look. If desired the finish can be further refined with steel wool. Alternatley super glue also works but is harder to apply and needs to be steel wooled more.

Kelley
http://home.blade.sonic.net
 
I went back and added 1 picture . There is still one other knife that needs to be soaked in wd-40 again, its black and must be really dry as John said . I will soak it again . Thanks for the help guys . Scott
 
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