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Help Needed with Finishing
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=36469		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Radiohead [ Sat May 12, 2012 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Help Needed with Finishing
Hey All,

I am finished a solid body with Nitrocellulose Lacquer. My problem is that I am see swirls in the finish after using swirl remover from StewMac?

Here is my process. 6 cans of clear lacquer waited about 10 days. Yesterday I wet Sanded to about 2,000 and let the body sit over night.

This morning I used StewMac colortone polishing compounds. I went from Coarse / Medium/ Fine to Swirl Remover. It looks good, but when the light hits just right at 45 degrees I can still see swirls in the finish.

I was very careful to use a separate foam buffing pad in my drill for every change in compound. I even wiped up the excess with separate rags? Am I using the drill at too high a speed? Am I expecting too much from a do it yourself job?

Please help.

Rick
Author:  Irving [ Sat May 12, 2012 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
With the last grit, 2000, don't use a swirling motion with your hands. Sand straight and with the grain.
Author:  Irving [ Sat May 12, 2012 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
How do those compounds work out by the way? Aside from the swirl, are you getting a nice mirror shine? You are omitting a buffing wheel correct?
Author:  Radiohead [ Sun May 13, 2012 9:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Irving,

Yes the product has worked well and I am happy the way the project turned out. Here are some pic's. I used a sponge buffing wheel attached to my drill.

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Here is a photo that you can see the swirl.

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It is almost like the Nitro is too soft. I tried to hand buff out some of the swirl marks and I could see I was scratching the surface with the swirl remover?

The Nitro was Deft Brand from a spray can. It cured to 10 days before I wet sanded?

Some one suggested Cleaner Wax followed by Carnuba? I am open to suggestions?
Author:  cphanna [ Sun May 13, 2012 10:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
This is kind of ironic, but I think your swirl remover actually caused the swirl marks. It's hard to assess from a photo. My hunch is that the lacquer was not yet fully hardened.

I would try this: Leave it alone for another two or three weeks to see if the lacquer will cure further and harden up. I expect it will. Then I'd go over it once more with a very soft, clean cloth (worn out cotton t-shirt or similar) and a very small dab of swirl remover on the cloth at a time. Use a new section of the cloth with each dab of polish. Make sure your polish is well-shaken and that you have no tiny, dried balls of swirl remover on the cloth pad. The stuff will start to dry up pretty quickly on your pad. Light touch. Polish and wipe clean a small section at a time to check your progress. This'll be a little more labor intensive than firing up your drill pad, but it'll be easier to control everything and I think it'll take no more than 30 minutes.

That'a a very tasty finish choice for your quilted top. I think it's beautiful.
Patrick
Author:  Irving [ Sun May 13, 2012 2:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Oh I see. I thought you meant a different type of swirl - like the kind that orbital sanders leave behind.

Would it be effective to apply those compounds by hand, or do you feel that the drill attachments are necessary?
Author:  Radiohead [ Sun May 13, 2012 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Thanks for the complement and advice. I picked up some Meguiars 2X scratch remover, Mothers Micro Polishing Glaze & Mothers Carnauba Wax. and sequentially and carefully buffed with each compound all the way to the liquid wax. I am really happy with the results. I guess I was only 1/2 way done at the Stewmac Swirl Remover. Here are some photos now.

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Author:  Chris Pile [ Sun May 13, 2012 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Sweetness!
Author:  Radiohead [ Mon May 21, 2012 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Hey All,

I thought I would share the final results. Thanks again for the advise above. I built this for a friend. My first maple quilt, inspired by the Jackson PC 1.

24 Fret BE Maple Neck/Board - Only side fret markers
12-16 Radius
OFR
Evolution in the Neck
Crunch Lab in the Bridge
5 Way Mega Switch to split the coils

Image

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Author:  dzsmith [ Mon May 21, 2012 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Yep,
Lacquer can take a very long time to get hard.
I wait 3-4 weeks, wet sand, and then wait another 2 weeks before polishing.
If you can leave a fingernail mark in the lacuqer, it aint dry.
I'm trying wipe-on poly on my current build. Waiting for lacquer to dry is as hard as wating for santa to come.
Author:  Kevin Smith [ Wed May 23, 2012 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Beautiful. Love the unadorned look. Really pops the quilt.
Author:  Clinchriver [ Wed May 23, 2012 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help Needed with Finishing
Excellent, thats a real showdog.

Where did you get an original Floyd Rose?
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