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Want to try a satin finish but really don't know where to start. I've been brushing a gloss water borne (EnduroVar) but have spray gear as needed. Looking for a thinner finish and trying to get off the high gloss train at the really nice satin finish station...

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Thank You and Best To All

If you're brushing you'll have to sand level and probably finish sand with a fine grit or non-woven abrasive.
I spray satin EV and am getting a thin coat (around 2.5/3 thou) with a reasonable finish off the gun
Take a bit of practice of course.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I use Mohawk satin nitro straight from the gun for my satin finishes. I like it.

The only problem is that as you play it the neck gets glossy.....

Nice looking finish Colin. Are you pore filling?

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Thank You and Best To All

Thanks Brad,

Been using True Oil for the neck with a 0000 steel wool rub and really like the finish...Also like not setting up a spray booth but may be a necessary evil...

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Thank You and Best To All

Zepoxy

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Here’s a picture of One of the guitars I used that lacquer on.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice Brad, is that a Cherry back?

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Thank You and Best To All

Colin what is EV?

I'm guessing Enduro Var...

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Thank You and Best To All

I was hoping Colin would chime in.

Larry, I think one of the keys for getting that nice off the gun finish will be a smaller tip (1mm) depending on your setup. I did a few test panels a while back following Colin's guidance and the 1mm tip made all the difference.

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For satin finishes, I use a matte poly. It won't shine up with time and holds up nicely. I get a pretty good finish strait out of the gun, but I still rub it out a bit afterwards with super fine steel wool to get everything silky and even.

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Thanks.
It's flamed birch with a light amber stain.

Sorry for the shorthand, Enduro Var was mentioned in the OP (original post)


Same for me, switching from the 1.3 original tip to the 1.0 seems to improve the atomisation, perhaps especially with the Fuji 3 stage turbine.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

A good quality satin finish will actually be a satin topcoat over a gloss base.... This is due to the fact that the refractory paste added to dull the finish also softens it. So a finish built out of entirely satin finish will wear away much quicker. This is why factory satin guitars often wear away to a gloss on the neck and under your arm.

The thing with a satin finish is it has to be an off the gun finish, you have no chance to level sand out nibs or surface texture. The typical process is exactly the same for gloss or satin until the last 2-3 coats (depending on type of materials used..) The keys to success here are the gloss coats must be completely dry so there will be no shrink back at all. This is then prep sanded one grit finer than typical for the finish and flow coats of satin finish applied.

Your spray environment and drying area must be almost surgically clean or dust nibs will ruin the finish. Your gun must atomize near perfect to keep orange peel down which will also ruin the look of the finish.

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Brian

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

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