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Identify this finish, and next steps?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 1:24 pm
by Dave Bagwill
I've inherited a guitar body - more on that in the future - but have no idea what finish was sprayed on, or where to go from here.
I've attached a few pix - the bridge was taped off, the soundhole blocked, and the thing is shiny but obviously not completely buffed or anything.
The finish is very hard, I think it must have dried for a few months already.

So - any ideas? I don't normally spray so I'm a little in the dark. I'm guessing it is nitro, but I don't know how many coats. Should I use car products - rubbing, buffing, scratch remover etc and just see how it goes?
Thanks

Cherry/walnut/spruce

Re: Identify this finish, and next steps?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 3:43 pm
by John Parchem
I would try wet sanding, include a drop of dish soap 600 - 800 - 1000 - 1200 then on to polishing. If you make sure that you are not sloppy with the water (like letting one side to sit in it while you sand the opposite side) all of the finishes I use would be happy. You can also use odorless mineral spirit as the lubricant.

If you pick some area thay can not be seen like under the neck heel or even on the tape on the sound hole you can see if alcohol will soften the finish (shellac and some water based) or if you need lacquer thinner to soften, maybe nitro.

Re: Identify this finish, and next steps?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 5:15 pm
by Dave Bagwill
Sounds reasonable, thanks again John!

Re: Identify this finish, and next steps?

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 2:12 pm
by Tim Benware
I usually use a Q-tip slightly wet (not dripping) from acetone in an inconspicuous location. If the finish is unchanged it is a poly, if it dulls/dissolves shellac or nitro (edit: almost like you see in that bottom pic of yours).

Re: Identify this finish, and next steps?

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 3:50 pm
by Dave Bagwill
Good, thanks.
I'm pretty sure nitro at this point.

Re: Identify this finish, and next steps?

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2018 6:19 pm
by Dave Bagwill
Ok fellers - sanded to 1200, looks pretty good to me.

I need to polish this puppy. I have, for polishing, the following:
nada

Oh I have an old bottle of McQuire's scratch removal, some very old turtle wax polishing compound, and a hand-held 6" auto buffer with a bonnet on it. Some carnauba wax.

I can afford a couple of small bottles of whatever is needed.
Ideas please!

Re: Identify this finish, and next steps?

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:34 pm
by Dave Bagwill
Ideas?