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It would be a HUGE help if someone could post some pix of what a scratch pattern after, say 150, 180, 220, up to 800 or so looks like in a light held at a low angle. You know what I mean. Not having much experience in that particular skill I'm not really sure what degree of scratching is acceptable, and pix are worth ...etc. :-)
Thanks

I know we were all told by the shop teacher to sand with the grain . On finish work you never want to sand with the grain. As for scratch pattern the only difference would be from the grit of the paper. Mirco mesh is the best stuff to use on finish work.
Also use wet dry paper if you don't use micro mesh. As for raw wood I do not go past 220 in the white and as for finish I start with 400 and work my way up to 800 for the level sanding ad 3 coats to do the final finish and start with 600 and work up to 2500 before buff and polish.

tippie53 wrote:As for scratch pattern the only difference would be from the grit of the paper. Mirco mesh is the best stuff to use on finish work.

I've read someplace (can't seem to find it now) that you are supposed to go to a higher grit when your new scratchmarks have completely replaced the scratchmarks from a previous grit. There were pictures taken with a usb microscope (rather small magnification but still..) to show the effect.

With most of us not having such a contraption, I guess it comes down to experience and the school of hard knocks. :)

I go by the orange peel. Take out half change take a bit more 600 then be on 800 when you hit the bottom Use a block at all times
many way to do this , but think of it this way , the goal is to get the surface flat , then I like to shoot 3 "finish" coats on top of this, The final sanding is all wet and starts on 600 to 2500 buff and polish. I am sure you will get more advice and while it may be different it isn't wrong .
Finish is all about technique . You have to find what works for you . with Nitro you can over sand the wood and if you get the raw wood to smooth you may have adhesion problems . Then it is about prep . Any short cuts will show in the final finish .

It isn't what you put on as much as what you let on .

tippie53 wrote: It isn't what you put on as much as what you let on .

And just in case you don't understand Pennsylvania dialect.......substitute "leave" for the word "let" in the sentence above and it will make sense.

throw the luthier down the steps a beer .

Now that's almost Cajun........throw the cow over the fence some hay! <smile>

Sounds like Yoda, almost it does..

I am in PA dutch country , we speak right but you hear funny.