Did a small bench experiment today exploring an approach to the "massey finish".  Tried using some smooth on at the usual 50-50 and acetone at about 5:1.  It just did not want to mix!  The white part (can't remember which part is which    ) miixed in pretty well but the amber was highly resistant to mixing.  After about ten minutes it looked like it was as good as it would get.  

Tried applying some to a hardowood dowel as a test.  That was five hours ago and it is still tacky with some roughness or lumpiness to it.  

It's always fun to post a success, but maybe equally useful to advise on failures.  

Well can you mix the smooth on first then mix it with the acetone. Just a thought.

Kelly, that might be the solution (no pun intended, of course    ) and would be worth a try.  Not something I'll get to in the next few days though.

I've never used the Massey finish but as I understand it you mix the two parts of epoxy together first and then mix in the acetone.

Guy

Nope, you put the two seperate parts(hardner and resin) in a container, add acetone,then mix.

Acetone may not be an appropriate solvent for Smooth On.

Eric, that's the way I've done it with the Two Ton.  Always worked just fine.

PatB, You have probably hit the nail on the head there.  Am letting it go with the conclusion that Smooth On is just not the right stuff!

I only tried the 'Massey' finish once, and maybe I did it wrong, but I mixed the two parts together first, then added the acetone. It worked. It wasn't smooth on though. It was some type of cheap dept store stuff.

I believe that any epoxy will make Massey finish, whether it be the cheap stuff of otherwise. It is being used to cover an item and not trying to hold 2 pieces together. I use cheap stuff, 2ton epoxy, and have good success with it. I've used acetone and also alcohol as the carrier.  I generally mix the 2 parts together well first before adding the solvent.

I have used Fiberglass  (boat building Automotive) to make Massey finish. Mix first then thin with acetone. Worked good and made a very hard,hi gloss finish