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I'm working on a guitar with a poplar top. I found some really nice clear white poplar. I was originally planning on painting the body but I like the wood so much I'm thinking of leaving it as is.

So I really want to polish the top and make it as smooth and pretty as it can be. I went through all the grits and was fine until I hit 1000. From 400 to 1200 grit all I can find is the black wet dry sandpaper (well locally anyway). At 1000 the black started coming off the sandpaper and got into the wood grain.

I have to go back down to 400 I guess and start over to get the wood clean.

I mustr be doing something wrong though. What do you guys use for the higher grits and generally how high a grit do you take your sanding?

320, unless I'm going to oil the wood, at which point I sometimes go higher (600-800 or so).

I sand to 220 under a french polish. I sand to 180 under all nitro and poly. The finish needs to be able to anchor to the wood fibers or it can delaminate over time. Sanding out to smooth polishes the wood and the finish has no grip,sanding too fine during prep is a common cause of finish failures. And actually most coatings manufactures suggest only going to 150 under a lacquer or poly finish

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

220 with the grain is as far as I ever go; I like the Norton 3x sandpapers as they work well and are reasonably priced.

Wow, I didn't even think of that! Thanks guys. I went back over it with 180 and I'll keep it there.

You all probably saved me a LOT of hassle