Sanding help please!!!

[engedi1]

I have recently coated the fingerboard of my fretless p bass with 4 coats of System 3 Clear Coat. I sanded with 320 grit dry between each coat. After the 4th coat, I had a an amazing gloss finish but then I wet sanded with 400, then 600, then 1200, then 1500, then 2000. I then applied 3M perfect-it II car polish to get a great shine. The finish feels as smooth as a babies bottom and I can't wait to play it, however, it looks more like a matte finish. I really want a high gloss finish like what HG Thor gets. Is there some secret I am missing? Do I just need to polish more? I probably only spent about 1-2 minutes with each grade of sandpaper. I am a rookie here and any help would be appreciated. I want it to look as glossy as it did before I sanded. Any thoughts?

 

[wilser]

well, jumping from 2000 grit to 3m perfect-it is too big of a jump. You need to use a lower abrasive step before perfect-it. I personally use micromesh's all the way up to 12000 grit and then do 3 steps polish with meguiar's products. #7, #10 and #17. It's like a mirror.

 

[Musiclogic]

That's the ticket Will, if you do not have a polisher or buffer. If you do have a polsher, from 2000 you can goto fine rubbing compound with the polisher, which will bring up a nice luster, and finish with Meguiars Deep Crystal Sealer and Carnauba wax to get that true Mirror look.

 

[engedi1]

Thanks for the reply Wilser. I though in my newbie-ish way that 2000 grit would be fine enough to polish. A local woodworks store sells micromesh so I will pick some up.
Another questions for ya-after you apply the meguiar's how long does the gloss last before you have to refinish?

 

[wilser]

well, I haven't timed myself like others here do But it was a good couple of hours going through all three polishes. Like Musiclogic said, it you don't have a buffer, be prepared for the shoulder pains . I'm used to it by now since I also prefer to do most of my sanding by hand instead of a RO.

 

[Musiclogic]

Will does all his sanding by hand to keep his throwing arm in shape for that appearence at Yankee Stadium....hehehehehe

The gloss will last 6 months to a year before showing much wear in the string area. This is dependant on how agressively you play.

 

[erikbojerik]

Sanding by hand allows you to pump more iron (12 oz at a time).

 

[Musiclogic]

I only drink Tea and water, my mug is 64 ounces, so I guess I am getting a 5+ fold workout....LOL

EDIT: Almost forgot Coffee.....coffee mug is 54 ounces......LOL

 

[Bryan316]

I'd say invest in a hand drill and those polishing/buffing wheels you can chuck up into a drill.

 

[Basschair]

I hope no one objects, but I've added a link to this in the "how to" sticky.

 

[wilser]

I'd say invest in a hand drill and those polishing/buffing wheels you can chuck up into a drill.

no, you don't understand ...I PREFER to do it by hand. It's slow enough that I can control it.

I hope no one objects, but I've added a link to this in the "how to" sticky.

the 'howto polish' part or 'howto get buff by polishing by hand' part? The latter doesn't work. Believe me, I know

 

[tribal3140]

i think its actually
" how to make your shoulder look like popeyes forearm"
linked to the sticky
: p

 

[Subculture13]

Some good advice here