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OK so I'm working on a couple guitars right now and using Emtech 6000. I just finished polishing the first guitar and used 100 grit then 320 Grit, then 400 grit, 800 grit, 1000 grit, 1500 grit, 2000 grit all sanded by hand. Then I used fine polishing compound with a buffing arbor (cloth wheel.) Then swirl guard and then polish.

I am a little disappointed with the gloss finish so I think I must be doing something wrong. It isn't a bad finish but sure doesn't look like water either. It's a passable finish but not quite glassy either.

Anybody got any suggestions?

I am certainly not an expert. This is my first "real" finishing attempt. I just buffed mine out this weekend, and I am very happy.

I surprised myself with the "depth" of the finish.

I blocked (dry) with 400, then sanded (dry) with 600 and 800, then (wet) with 1200. I followed with Mazerna 2L and 16 using an automotive buffer with a cotton loop bonnet. I have not yet done the swirl remover.

How long did you let it harden between spraying and buffing?

Are you certain you sanded each grit enough to remove the scratches from the previous grit?

I suspect Tony is correct -- if you jumped from 100 to 320 and skipping 180 and 220 you may have not removed all scratches. Without seeing the guitar in person this is simply "my guess" Also, each grit requires block sanding to the same gloss level on the entire surface before moving on to the next grit.

Thanks, I will get some of the other grits and sand a little more on the last guitar I have to sand. It's kind of hard to read between the lines on some of the instructions you find but I'll get there thanks to you guys. I have seen some people recommending foam pad with a buffing arbor. Does it work better? Thanks for the responses.

I let it harden for about 3 weeks.

Ken, do you sell all your stuff on ebay? I am looking to throw you some business next time I need something but it didn't look like you are able to buy on your web site. If I'm wrong let me know.

Yep -- most of our products are available direct -- just hit the contact link or use the member link from this forum to let us know what you need. We don't put pricing on the KMG site to avoid conflicts with EBay.

Guitarhack,

Wow, you used some very coarse grits to level! Personally, I level with 600G prior to the final coats and start my final leveling prior to polishing with 800G. To get out sanding scratches from those coarse grits, so much of your finish has to be removed. I suspect your finish is just filled with coarse scratches, making it impossible to get a nice shine.

Ken

I agree 400 is as course as I would use . If my finish is orange peeled I may use 320 but I gauge the peel as I cut through it . once I am bout 50% through I am into 600 . To be honest I will spend about as much on finish as I do on building .
I also do a 2 stage finish . I like to level and then hit another 3 coats of finish with buytle acetate in my lacquer to slow curing and get a better flow . Then I will start with 600 or 800 and work my finish to gloss .
Finishing is as much about technique as it is about substance used .

I put on an extra thick coat because I went through the finish once and and still had pitting so I figured I need to get some leveling agent next time to try and eliminate that as much as possible. I used the 100 to level finish because it was taking way too long to get a smooth surface with the 400 grit. I thought I could just smooth out the finish as I went but apparently not or I didn't sand enough.

The directions I had said to use a random Orbital sander but I did that on my first build and took the finish off at the edges in nothing flat and still had pitting in the middle. So I don't use the Random orbital sander on my guitar. Anyone got a good method other than the "Armstrong" method?

Ken C wrote:Guitarhack,

Wow, you used some very coarse grits to level! Personally, I level with 600G prior to the final coats and start my final leveling prior to polishing with 800G. To get out sanding scratches from those coarse grits, so much of your finish has to be removed. I suspect your finish is just filled with coarse scratches, making it impossible to get a nice shine.

Ken

My sentiments exactly, I think starting that low is way too low. I'm not an expert but I use EM6000 and start at 800 dry to level then wet sand starting at 1200, 1500, 2000, then 2 levels of buffing compound, swirl remover. I think I got this off target Coating site or someone's suggestion awhile back. Can't remember but I have it written down. Seems to be more than some others do but also seeems to work nice.

Tim B