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Following up on my promiss and your vote of confidence, i took a few more shots of my finishing progress, here's the soundbox shy of a few more coats before level sanding...and the rest











Thanks for watching!

Serge

Looking good there Buddy, lookin' goooooood

Hey, my middle name is James, does that count? Rod True38987.781099537

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

woa! woooohoooo!! Lookin' good Serge, yer getting there!!

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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Keep at it Serge! You're only a few hours of sanding away from a beautiful guitar!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Hi Serge, very nice job!
Were you not building a mando?

Is the varathane you use the waterbase or solvent base?
Alain Lambert38987.8238310185

Thanks my good fellas!

Rod, it does count, your encouragement is also welcomed!

Thanks Pat!

Thanks Dave too!

Merci beaucoup Alain! Yes, i was but one night, my Mom came home with her guitar and i was no longer satisfied with the finish i had put on it which was a water base varathane BTW, i used a solvent base this time(i think) it's the black spray can of Varathane gloss by FLECTO. I did put my mando projects aside so she could have a shinier guitar to bring to Florida next month! i'm glad i did this though, i've learned a lot in the last 2-3 weeks on Finishing alone!

Thanks Hesh, hopefully she'll be done by next week!

Dang Serge! That is coming along fantastic!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Thanks Lance!

There you go

Thanks James!

Right on budy! That looks great! Keep it up and the next thing you know, you'll be holding a beautiful shinning guitter!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Lookin' good.

Al

Oh Serge, it looking great. I know you could do it. I can't wait to see it all together and strung up.   

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Aoibeann

Looking Good Serge!

Mike

Muchos gracias Alain, Al, Lillian and Mike, much appreciated!

Cosidering it's my first time spraying out of a can, i'm pretty pleased with it so far! Serge Poirier38987.9848842593

Good work Serge keep at it and you will have a finish as fine as she reportedly sounds.

Cheers

Kim

Looking better and better every time! Pretty shiny! Do you wear sunglasses around it?

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Thanks Kim , and i do miss playing it right now but i do have to take my time with it! Yep, live and learn they said huh?

Thanks Peter No, but i do wear these:

Gawd! I love that picture of you Serge! I do. It always makes me laugh and smile. Can't help it.

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Aoibeann

I laugh and smile too when i see it Lillian, it reminds me not to take myself too seriously and to be happy!

[quote]I laugh and smile too when i see it Lillian,[/quote]
It's disturbing!

   Don't forget Sergio, if you put a high buff on that Bad Boy every little boo-boo, ripple, or wave is gonna show up like a big dog!

   Put a careful, and thorough sand on it! I block sand with foam rubber and sometimes an actual flat wood block that I've sanded really flat and/or a dowel on ripples. Never, ever use your plain fingers on the flat surfaces.

    And If you have to, don't be afraid to respray. Don't sand through! Take your time! It ain't a race!

That is if your buffing?

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Billy, you mean boy you, i'll bet you cry when you see yours!

Good advice there coach Billy, i suppose you mean wet sanding the surfaces ? Is 2000 grit good enough or should i buy higher grits?

Yes, i plan on buffing my good buddy!

Serge...Very nice looking!!!

I don't know about the characteristics of Varathane but with other finishes I've tried the longer you wait for it to cure out the easier it is to sand and the better the results. I wait a minimum of 2 weeks before sanding...be patient!

I get to 2000 grit with conventional wet/dry paper and then use Micro-Mesh from 2400 to 12,000 grits. After that it requires just a little time at the buffing wheel.

I use small pieces over a wooden block which has thin mouse-pad rubber material adhered to the wood. Don't use a bare wood sanding block!
...Use a very light touch around the edges
...Work in small 6"x6" sections at a time...with the grain.
...Keep the paper soaking in water with a drop or 2 of diswashing liguid soap. I use one 3" x 3" square of paper for each 6x6 section.
...Recharge the paper frequently in this solution to keep it clear of sanding debris. I keep about 4-6 squares soaking and alternate them during the process.
...All you're trying to do is replace the larger scratches with smaller scratches from the next higher grit...you don't need a lot of downward force.
...Wipe off all the slurry from the surface with a damp rag before going on to the next grit
...Make up a new solution each time you change to a higher grit. You don't want any large grit particles messing up your progress.
...Wait a few days before buffing.
...Take your time and be methodical. By the time you get to the higher grits it will start going faster as you see your smiling face reflected in the finish. Keep being patient!

Good luck ...Keep us posted on the progress, Bro!!!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

JJ, THANK YOU SO MUCH! You've just answered all of my remaining questions with this single post bro!

Finished spraying one of the sides and put 3 coats on the remaining side, i should be able to finish spraying tomorrow night and will let it all cure for 2 weeks and then will follow this procedure, saved to file!

Thanks again JJ!

Serge