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I am endlessly frustrated by the finishing process. Last time I gave up - literally could not get it done.

The basic problem is this - It seems no matter what I do I ALWAYS sand through the finish somewhere. Usually it is the sides where a shoulder or bout corner will show epoxy under the finish but even the top and back can reveal the problem.

This morning with the Crysta-Lac finish same thing. Looking good then BAM that little dull area that shows and hours of work out the window and back to multiple coats and waiting and drying and next week if I'm lucky I will have enough time to try again until I sand through again and the all over again.... Like I said I quit the last time (I had to go to work and get on with my life) but am determined to try another way - HELP

Like I said I am using Crysta Lac and applying with a foam brush and the finish goes on pretty well - about 5-7 coats. I can only level so much because any kind of sanding block will certainly burn through.

Doing everything by hand, including polishing and am worn out from the effort. Only now to have to start all over again.

Maybe it starts with the application?

Need help.

Larry

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Thank You and Best To All

Hi Larry,
I know how you feel. I had the same problems until I started spraying. Regardless of how careful I was, the finish was never really even and I sanded through, usually in the spots you mention. However, being the lazy sot that I am I never refinished (except for once). I used KTM 4 and now 9.
I usually used thin CA, applied with a Q tip, a few coats and then leveled and polished it with micromesh 3000 to 12000. I have also had success with french polishing small areas as well.
I am interested in other fixes that have been used.

So should I quit whining and just start over? Or is there a trick or technique I might know about?

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Thank You and Best To All

I would suggest applying a few more layers of finish before sanding. You can apply or spray a coat, wait an hour or so and spray another and so on.... I would do 5 or six per day depending on how thick it goes on, then level sand 24 hours after the last coat. repeat for 5-6 days and let cure 2-4 weeks.

Maybe you are building enough finish on the guitar and then its easily getting sanded through...

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

I would suggest applying a few more layers of finish before sanding. You can apply or spray a coat, wait an hour or so and spray another and so on.... I would do 5 or six per day depending on how thick it goes on, then level sand 24 hours after the last coat. repeat for 5-6 days and let cure 2-4 weeks.

Maybe you are not building enough finish on the guitar and then its easily getting sanded through...

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

You may be sanding too hard, or using too coarse a grit of paper. I use 800 or 1000 grit (usually wet) and only sand hard enough to get the finish flat (remove orange peel or brush marks and grit). I haven't used waterbourne finish in a long time, but 800 works for me with nitro.

I recommend getting a compressor and gun as soon as you can.I tried using aresol cans on my first and it was just too thin.I found a good used 15 gal, 4 hp. compressor and gun at a local pawn shop for 125 bucks and it works great.It sounds like you are not getting enough finish on.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I too would suggest applying 3-4 more coats of finish before sanding/buffing, you can always take some finish off with the sandpaper and buffer, but trying to go too thin from the start can be a real pain as you already know.

Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

Thanks guys. Seems my process is the same as most who have posted, except for those who spray nitro, so I'll just put more on and get back to sanding.

Larry

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Thank You and Best To All