Acoustic Guitar Construction

For those of you with buffers you may want to consider this. I am still learning finishing from those more experienced than me. I had always leveled my nitro by dry sanding to P800 grit, then wet sanding to P2000, wet sanding with the micro-mesh pads and then buffing with Menzerna 16 & 18. On a recommendation, my last finishing job I sanded to P600 (I use 3M gold) and then buffed with Menzerna 113GZ, 204, 16 and ATOL6. I got the smoothest, deepest looking shine of any of my finishes yet. It was so much less work and came out so much better. No going back now for me.

Do you mind if I ask what pedestal buffer and wheels you're using with those? Am thinking of taking the pedestal buffer plunge

Jeff

Jeff Jewitt wrote:Do you mind if I ask what pedestal buffer and wheels you're using with those? Am thinking of taking the pedestal buffer plunge

Jeff

I got my buffer from Caswell Plating. This kit:

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffing-p ... chine.html

I use the buffs I got with the kit for the 2 coarser grades and bleached domet flannel I got from Jescar for the finer grades.

Tim

Am thinking seriously of this buffer - did you find the 1100 rpm too fast? Most buffers for guitar shops seem to be running slower.

Jeff Jewitt wrote:Tim

Am thinking seriously of this buffer - did you find the 1100 rpm too fast? Most buffers for guitar shops seem to be running slower.

I find it works great for me. I know it's hard to tell from pics when one is trying to remove the reflection but here are a couple pics of a recent one I did. The key for me was finding the level to sand to before buffing and then getting the right buffing compounds/buffs (menzerna and domet flannel).

The finish is gorgeous. I ordered the buffer (it's on back order) and the buffs you suggested from Jescar. I talked to Jeff and we are going to try the P204 after wet-sanding to 800 (CAMI) then the P175 which he says is the schedule used now by a lot of the factories. I'll report back.

Jeff Jewitt wrote:The finish is gorgeous. I ordered the buffer (it's on back order) and the buffs you suggested from Jescar. I talked to Jeff and we are going to try the P204 after wet-sanding to 800 (CAMI) then the P175 which he says is the schedule used now by a lot of the factories. I'll report back.

I used to do something similar to that but substitute the other compounds for the wet sanding process now. The buffing is easier on my hands than the sanding process. So many ways to get there:) Brian Howard converted me to the compound method. He's a really good finisher.