Cutting the gloss - student grade laminated

RustyAxe · #1 11-01-2009, 11:42 AM

I have a Strunal 50/4 blonde, that serves the purpose for me, and sounds pretty decent for a student level bass. I'd like to cut the gloss of the finish though, to a nice satin finish. Any suggestions or success stories? Thanks.

Jake deVilliers · #2 11-01-2009, 12:51 PM

I used Simoniz or Turtle Wax pink rubbing compound on my Romanian (I forget which) and it dulled it down perfectly. I tried 0000 steel wool but it wasn't as consistent or smooth-looking and of course the shop was carpeted in steel dust.

YMMV

longfinger · #3 11-01-2009, 10:59 PM

Hi Mr. DeVilliers,

When you write of 'Simoniz' are you writing of car wax to add a coating of dull matte, on top of the glossy finish, to create a matte finish? (No chemical reaction, just a coat of dull wax?)

thanks.
I've been thinking of doing something to lessen the gloss on my Strunal 50/4 as well.

Jake deVilliers · #4 11-01-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longfinger

Hi Mr. DeVilliers,
I've been thinking of doing something to lessen the gloss on my Strunal 50/4 as well.

Thank you youngster...PEEDUB and others please note the correct form of address!

Not wax Longfinger, rubbing compound. It comes in a can like wax but is basically abrasive in a paste form.

http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,13

On your car you'd go sandpaper, rubbing compound, polishing compound to progressively remove the scratches and make the finish shine.
On the bass we're just taking a step backwards.

IdealWay · #5 09-10-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Thank you youngster...PEEDUB and others please note the correct form of address!

Not wax Longfinger, rubbing compound. It comes in a can like wax but is basically abrasive in a paste form.

http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,4,13

On your car you'd go sandpaper, rubbing compound, polishing compound to progressively remove the scratches and make the finish shine.
On the bass we're just taking a step backwards.

I'm considering doing this to my Shen SB80, can you briefly outline the process you used? How many applications, how much pressure do you use, what do you apply it with, etc? I'm afraid I might royally screw something up, but I do really like the satin look and wouldn't mind my bass being different from all the other SB80's out there.

Jake deVilliers · #6 09-10-2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdealWay

I'm considering doing this to my Shen SB80, can you briefly outline the process you used? How many applications, how much pressure do you use, what do you apply it with, etc? I'm afraid I might royally screw something up, but I do really like the satin look and wouldn't mind my bass being different from all the other SB80's out there.

Just follow the directions on the can. It applies similarly to car wax - with a damp cloth and lots of rubbing. Its a pretty good workout.
If you try to keep a consistent circular motion going you'll find it pretty easy to create a consistent matte look.

If its shiny in spots, rub them more - if you want to go back to glossy, buff it!

Paul Warburton · #7 09-11-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Thank you youngster...PEEDUB and others please note the correct form of address!

Thanks, JACK.

Jake deVilliers · #8 09-11-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Thanks, JACK.

That's MR. Jack to you, old-timer!

Paul Warburton · #9 09-11-2010, 09:17 AM

IdealWay · #10 09-13-2010, 10:14 AM

Sounds easy enough. Anyone have pics of the finished product? I'd love to see the outcome before I try it.

kmanley_29649 · #11 09-13-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdealWay

Sounds easy enough. Anyone have pics of the finished product? I'd love to see the outcome before I try it.

Same here. I'm debating either dulling down or completely refinishing my SB80, so I'd love to see it if anyone else has done this to one, just to get an idea of how it would look.

Tony G · #12 09-13-2010, 01:35 PM

What exactly is the issue with the finish on the SB80? I recently got one myself, and it never even occured to me that the gloss finish was considered unattractive. Won't it just wear down after years of use anyway?

kmanley_29649 · #13 09-13-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony G

What exactly is the issue with the finish on the SB80? I recently got one myself, and it never even occured to me that the gloss finish was considered unattractive. Won't it just wear down after years of use anyway?

Nothing wrong with it per se, it's just that I, and apparently IdealWay, prefer a less shiny look. Sure, it'll probably wear down with age, but we're impatient and obsessed with appearance!

Tony G · #14 09-13-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmanley_29649

Nothing wrong with it per se, it's just that I, and apparently IdealWay, prefer a less shiny look. Sure, it'll probably wear down with age, but we're impatient and obsessed with appearance!

So, being new to the whole upright thing myself, I take it that gloss finishes are generally not wanted on uprights?

kmanley_29649 · #15 09-13-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony G

So, being new to the whole upright thing myself, I take it that gloss finishes are generally not wanted on uprights?

I'm not saying that at all. It's a matter of personal preference. A lot of people like them, but others don't. There's no real general consensus, as far as I know. It's just different people like different things. Personally, I much prefer an old, beat up looking bass, but others like their's shiny and clean looking.

Tony G · #16 09-13-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmanley_29649

I'm not saying that at all. It's a matter of personal preference. A lot of people like them, but others don't. There's no real general consensus, as far as I know. It's just different people like different things. Personally, I much prefer an old, beat up looking bass, but others like their's shiny and clean looking.

Makes sense. I guess the same thing goes over on the BG side as well.

George700DL · #17 09-13-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony G

Makes sense. I guess the same thing goes over on the BG side as well.

Tony,

This is exactly what I was wondering myself: What's wrong with shiny finishes?

Except I'd say there does seem to be a consensus - the majority of people don't like glossy finishes on double basses.

I do understand the whole aversion to the "straight-out-of-the-spray-booth" shiny look of factory made instruments when we're talking about upright basses.

Even among personal friends who are musicians, most won't like anything that is glossy when speaking about stringed instruments.

I'm not worried either way, since I know that time will take care of the look of my upright. Right now I don't feel the need to make it look older than it is. But to each his own. I also know people who hate the look of brand new white sneakers and have to get them dirty as soon as possible

George

IdealWay · #18 09-13-2010, 02:45 PM

I definitely agree that the high-gloss look distracts the eye from the natural beauty of the wood, and in the case of my Shen it does look kinda cheap and plastic-y. Also, I love doing projects and if my SB80 can be different from all the rest, why not? For me it's not about making it look old and beat-up, just smooth and natural.

So... who's got some pics?

The Spanier · #19 09-22-2010, 10:09 AM

Hi!!

I would also like to see some pics of a rubbed gloss… Somehow I´d feel very nervous before applying some carwash stuff on my DB…