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I just completed the finish on my latest, an all koa OLF SJ. The finish is satin by Crystalac, a water based product.
I followed the following method of epoxy fill, sand back, epoxy coat, 5 coats of finish, level sand, 3 coats, sand up to 2000 grit, apply wax with steel wool with grain, polish.
The finish is flat and smooth with just a hint of gloss.

I know gloss is the standard, but this finish has become my favorite. I think it makes a lot more sense for a guitar. It looks great, I think more classy than gloss and it is much easier to maintain and repair.
(Pictures to follow.)

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I'm with you on that Steve!
To me the gloss looks kind of plastic.
Where did you get the satin by Crystalac?

Thanks,
Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

Steve, I agree with the fact that it is a lot easier to maintain and repair and its not as hard to get it done as it does not show as many imperfections on the finish as a high gloss would.
As far as which one is better? Its a matter of taste! Some people love satin other hate it and vice-versa.

I prefer a high gloss finish on the box and a satin on the neck. So for me a high gloss is better!

BTW Steve, weren't you building 2 all Koa SJ's?peterm39066.5253240741

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Wade,
I get the Crystalac from McFeely's.

(I'm also using Crystalac water based far a gloss finish on a sitka/rosewood OLF SJ. So far I like it a lot better than KTM9. I'll post a review in a week or two.)

[QUOTE=Wade S.] Where did you get the satin by Crystalac?

Thanks,
Wade[/QUOTE]

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

[QUOTE=peterm]I prefer a high gloss finish on the box and a satin on the neck. So for me a high gloss is better! [/QUOTE] You are allowed to be wrong if you like.

[QUOTE=peterm]
BTW Steve, weren't you building 2 all Koa SJ's?[/QUOTE] No, just one.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Hi Steve,
I have done both finishes before. I did a satin finish identical to a Lowden
a year or so ago and it turned out great.

What I really love about a satin finish is the feel and natural vibe it gives
the guitar. However, I also love the wet look only a high-gloss finish can
bring to a piece of wood. So I appreciate both but personally lean
towards a gloss finish because of the intensity.

The only negative I can think of for a satin finish is that it seems like the
majority of US guitar players prefer gloss over satin. But then again, it
seems like there are a ton of US players that also love the Lowden
look.

--
Simon
SimonF39066.5840509259

I have tried a flattening additive with Nitro Lacquer for achieving a satin finish and have been frustrated with the results. The finish looks great but I can't find a good method of fixing any boogers or specks of dust in the finish. With a gloss finish, the final wet sand and buffing deals with these things. How have you guys dealt with this issue?

[QUOTE=SteveS] [QUOTE=peterm]I prefer a high gloss finish on the box and a satin on the neck. So for me a high gloss is better! [/QUOTE] You are allowed to be wrong if you like.

[QUOTE=peterm]
BTW Steve, weren't you building 2 all Koa SJ's?[/QUOTE] No, just one.[/QUOTE]

Well you are right then! I am wrong about you building 2 all Koa SJ's!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I like satin finish, but I'm a gloss kinda guy. To me nothing looks better! The pristine perfect glass like surface is just too sweet.
But I do get the satin look too, its cool and a nice change.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

[QUOTE=mfranks] I have tried a flattening additive with Nitro Lacquer for achieving a satin finish and have been frustrated with the results. The finish looks great but I can't find a good method of fixing any boogers or specks of dust in the finish. With a gloss finish, the final wet sand and buffing deals with these things. How have you guys dealt with this issue?[/QUOTE]



Well we clean off every little spec of sanding dust prior to buffing. Compressed air and naphtha helps. As far as prior to final coats. the same but if the dust is pure finish solids it should melt in if you missed a spec. If it did not then it was common dust and not finish solids.






MichaelP39066.6868402778

[QUOTE=LanceK] I like satin finish, but I'm a gloss kinda guy. To me nothing looks better! The pristine perfect glass like surface is just too sweet.
But I do get the satin look too, its cool and a nice change.[/QUOTE]

Well, I guess you are wrong too then!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Dang,
Did I need to put a YMMV disclaimer?

I used to prefer gloss and I probably will again sometime, like when I have someone else do it for me.     

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Does not it all turn to satin eventually anyway?

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

I, like the majority of UK players, so it seems, aren't very fond of the over-buffed high gloss look. I guess it's the Lowden influence. My personal preference is a sort of finish that you get with unbuffed French polish afetr glazing, a sort of sheen rather than shine. The sort of patina that an antique mahogany table gets after three hundred years of use. I've got a George I mahogany side table, I've been trying (and failing) to get the finish on my guitars to look just the way it does. I want the surface to look like polished wood, not wood under glass.

But each to their own, there is no right or wrong.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

[QUOTE=Colin S].......I want the surface to look like polished wood, not wood under glass.....[/QUOTE] Colin,
I like that. Perhaps I'm showing my UK roots.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Good one Steve....dang those gloss finishes!

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Where's the pictures Steve?