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The absolute most traditional finish is french polish, using shellac. It's beautiful but not durable, which is OK because it's easily repaired (if you're a good polisher) For electrics and factory acoustics, a variety of nitrocellulose laquers are common. It has it's benefits and problems, and...

I'm looking to try a new clear coat, maybe two, just to see what's out there. I've currently used the 'house brand' two-part product from these folks: Industrial Finishes | Automotive and Industrial Finishes This product is fine, but I want to ensure I'm doing the best I can. Here's the...

Updates for anyone who cares. I ran more tests and the final results, for me at least are: Manzerna HCC applied with Bosch drill and 3" foam pad: Works, but very easy to burn-through the clear coat. I'd post a pic if I wasn't at limit, but I had a couple incidents of the finish bubbling up...

Fire away here, if you'd like, I'm keeping an eye on this thread while I keep working on these few I need to wrap up. To clarify: you mean sand from 1500 to 3000 to 5000, then just final polish from there? Would you use a tool for the higher grit sanding, or just do it all by hand, with...

Making, from scratch. They're classical guitars (aka nylon-string) which I coat with a wash coat of shellac before spraying with clear coat. I've used Nason and TrueClear (some local Eugene, OR blend) products so far. I want the finish as thin as possible, but still be nearly perfect, since...

Thanks again for this input - hard to find a better place to read up than some of the posts in this very thread! Do you have any thoughts on the 3M Perfect-it EX 3-step products?

Updates for the evening: I borrowed the three-step 3M product (his is the 3000 version, not the new EX or whatever). Step 1 with the GG was OK, maybe a bit better. Step 1 using my cheapo Bosch cordless drill removed the swirls left by the above, but also the swirls left elsewhere by the...

Thanks, very interesting all around on the compound vs. paper ideas. To put a finer point on the 2- vs. 3-step question -- I'm wondering if the 3M 3-stage process might "actually just work" using the GG 3" tool, now that I seem fairly sure the 2-step will not work.

I'd like to explore this idea, too. I promise I'm not irrationally obsessed with making the GG work, but I just have it here so I'd like to keep trying before I declare it a loss. One note I'd add, perhaps in response to the discs: I generally try to keep my finishes as thin as possible --...

Thanks again for this note - I ordered these pads and appreciate the help. If anyone cares, I'll post results, since I assume I cannot return the tool. Would be wonderful if it would do what it says it should :(

Ha, but daaamn.... I threw away the packaging so I'm sure a return isn't an option. For those who feel I should try a different orbital - can you recommend a brand and model of 3" tool for me to check out? Much appreciated again, everyone! So when the Griot's Garage tool is promoted as...

Just some updates if anyone cares to follow: I tried again tonight with the Griot's Garage 3" and Menzerna HCC 1000. Sanded only up to 1500, but I kept all sanding marks in one direction (in the wood-grain direction) just to be certain that the swirls were NOT sanding marks. Result #1...

Thanks again: -- I'll look to see if I can borrow a 6" from somewhere, and test against my setup. If it "just works," then I'll switch machines (a bit disappointing, as I'm not sure what the GG is for, exactly, then, but OK) BUT... hope I don't seem like I'm ignoring these tips... I'd like...

Ah shoot - I was kinda wondering if that might be the issue. Any idea how best to test that idea? I guess a test of the same clear coat, same process, but a proven polisher would be good -- I just don't have any friends who do this kind of work, or else I'd be bugging them right now! Any...

Hi, to start, this is not an auto project. Rather, I've been using automotive clear coat on wood surfaces for final finish. Process is: 1) HVLP spray clear coat (I've used a Nason product and something called TRUE clear) 2) Sand to flat (meaning remove any wood grain, pores, or other non-flat...