Acoustic Guitar Construction

I really like satin finishes, but I don't really know the best way to go about getting one on my guitars.

Kevin, I've never done one, but understand it can be as simple as using a satin finishing product and simply leaving it alone after it dries.

Or by using a high-gloss product, which has no 'flatteners' in it so is inherently clearer, and then rubbing it down to the sheen you want with steel wool or other very fine abrasive.

Any time I've rubbed down a finish with 0000 steel wool, I can see the scratches. What about a natural satin finish, where you still feel the wood. I've refinished furniture this way using Danish oil.

I only "wet spray" a satin finish, (the chemical used is simply less glossy) final coat no leveling, no sanding, no polishing --- done!

My experience with "rubbing out" gloss finishes mirrors Kevin's. While I was not planning on leaving them satin in the first place, it was clear this approach left things too uneven. I sprayed lots of satin lacquer as a spray boy in my youth, and it was always smooth and even looking, like Ken says.

There are flatteners put into some matte and satin finishes; maybe not all, I really don't know. Some guys on this forum have some good info on matte and satin et al.

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