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Help please... Cut and polishing

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by SmirksReBorn, Jul 20, 2013.

  1. Jul 20, 2013 #1
    SmirksReBorn

    SmirksReBorn

    Jul 20, 2013
    Just brought my first bass and it's a kit with no instructions.... Yay..... My great idea came when a friend said Phill you wanna play bass... i was Like hell yeah..... and next thing i have a self build kit. Very Nice too..... i'm stuck with the finish, i've rubbed down clearcoat 1 waited few days rubbed back a little, second clearcoat. looking shiny and glossly. just sexy.... rub down second time.... right this is where i'm not sure..... rubbed it down the done a cut all over and polish. i'm just not getting the high shine....... tips please..... many thanks
     
  2. Jul 20, 2013 #2
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    Need more information. What kind of finish are you using? What end result are you trying to achieve? What grits of sand paper did you use? Did you wet or dry sand it?
     
  3. Jul 20, 2013 #3
    Lonnybass

    Lonnybass

    Jul 19, 2000
    San Diego
    Endorsing Artist: Pedulla Basses
    All good questions! :cool:

    Lonnybass
     
  4. Jul 23, 2013 #4
    SmirksReBorn

    SmirksReBorn

    Jul 20, 2013
    clearcoat gloss.... 2000 grit wet and dry.... all good now tho.... buffing by hand is not the 1.... used a drill with attachment now looking the dogs doodahs.... will post pic once its all together
     
  5. Jul 23, 2013 #5
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    My method is to spend 10 minutes more with each progressively finer grit. When you get to 2000 grit you should spend about twice the time you spent with your first grit.

    When buffing I start with Meguier's medium cut cleaner to get rid of any sanding scratches. If that isn't abrasive enough I will use Turtle wax rubbing compound which is even more abrasive, but its usually not needed. After the first buff I change pads and use Meguiers Fine cut cleaner to bring out the deep gloss.

    I'm going to get a buffing station sooner or later, but for now I use my poor mans buffing set up, which is a bench top drill press set to about 1100 rpm with a wool pad in the chuck. This set up works very well, especially for buffing out a neck. Its much easier to hold on to your work piece than it is to try and buff it out with a buffing machine, with the piece on a bench.
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