Level Sanding for Sunburst Finishes

[BlindBo]

As an amateur builder, I admit that producing a good lacquer finish has been one of the most difficult parts of the process for me. I’m now on my 14th build and I couldn’t begin to add up the hours I’ve spent applying and correcting my finishes. It’s been a true “time suck” and I’m really glad I’m not trying to make a living at this!😎
It has taken me this long to truly appreciate the importance of level sanding. Most of my repairs have been the result of not getting the level sanding correct.
My last three projects have been sunbursts and when I didn’t get the top almost perfectly flat BEFORE applying the colors, I’ve set myself up for multiple problems most frequently sanding through the color, requiring redos. I’m finishing a sunburst tenor uke this weekend. As usual, I’ve had mu typical issues trying to get it right. It finally hit me like a cold fish in the face what was wrong. I spent all day Friday stripping the top, applying a new seal coat, and spot filling.
My new process is to apply two coats of clear lacquer over the seal coat and then level sand and repeat as necessary until everything is 95=98% flat. Then start in with the colors. Today I’m applying the finish clear lacquer coats and it is by far the best looking sunburst I’ve done. While the iterations of sanding and re-coating until it’s all flat have taken a lot of time, I don’t think it’s nearly as time consuming as trying to repair a botched up sunburst. I think most of my problems were from a desire to “move onto the next step” too quickly or as pilots call it “get there-itis”.
Hopefully, this is a lesson well learned even if I’m an incredibly slow learner! I’ll post a picture or two after it cures. My new color application procedure is a whole other topic.
I hope this helps some others.

[TEETERFAN]

Yea, that’s the best approach. All the sunbursts I’ve done have been solid body electrics, so I was able to have a fairly thick clear coat to help prevent sand throughs. I find it helpful to use 1500 grit (with a small, hard block) for my leveling. It takes longer, but it allows me to easily see when I am close to eliminating the texture of last coat. And I never machine sand any finish.

[tippie53]

will be a topic at ASIA next week