Official Luthiers Forum!

      I use the flattened wood block to work out ripples, carefully. If you don't use something very flat the foam will just follow the surface and not level. depends on the level of shine your working to! A high buff will show everything. Generally, I use the foam on everything else!

   I usually, start at 600 and take it till I just start to see almost total surface sanding marks, then I work up to 1600, but it depends on how much time you want to spend on the buffer, and with what compounds. It's not rocket surgery, but it requires being careful and observant.

   There's a lot of different ways to go and the experience will help you find what works for you.

    JJ's right, clean, clean, clean, between grits, especially on edges and cracks. Be very careful on the sharp edges, you can go through very easily.

   Take your time, sit back here and there, have a little conversation with your beer drinking alien friend, and enjoy the process. It can be quite relaxing.

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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

Thanks Billy! That will give a work out to my patience!

I decided to spray up to 12 coats so i'd have something to work with when i do the level-sanding, it shines even more today, i'll post some more pics tonight!

Thanks!

Ok guys, here's how it looks with a few more coats on, i have now 12 coats on the back and on one side, it needs 3 coats on the other side and 3 more on the top.











The spraying should all be done by tomorrow night and will let it sit and cure for the next 2 weeks

Thanks for watching

Serge

Looks positively yummy Serge!

JJ -- great post! Why go all the way up to Micro Mesh if you are going to buff it? Seems like a lot of extra work to me.Anthony Z38989.9575694444

Looking good Serge! Can't wait to see it all buffed and polished.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Wow Serge, It is looking good buddy! JJ and Billys' advice is very good indeed! It is so important to level sand and be patient and let it gas off for at least 2 weeks. You are doing great!

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Thanks Anthony, Dave and Dave!

Anthony, do you mean that the level sanding could be achieved by working my way up to 2000 grits only for instance? I ask because i've looked for the micro-mesh and couldn't find any. I'd like it if you could elaborate on your thoughts a little further my dear friend!

Thanks Dave ! me too, my patience is really tested with the finishing part!

Thanks Dave, i want you to hold a shiny Poirier soon buddy! Talked to my folks yerterday, Mom will give me their address in Florida that i will forward to you sometimes this week! I just hope it sounds as nice as it used to when it had less finish on it!

That's looking quite good, Serge! You may turn some of us to the dark side of spray can finishing!

Serge, momma Bear's guitar is looking really good. Its going to turn out beautiful. I know this has been trying your patience, but you have done so well.

Just one question, what project do you have planned to keep you occupied while the guitar sits and cures?

_________________
Aoibeann

Thanks Carlton and Lillian!

Carlton, please do so i feel less alone!

Lillian, i have many plans for 4 F5 mandos and 2 guitars(SJ and L OO or Matin OO) but i'm not well equipped in terms of dust collection and the finishing is being done in my shop so i can't really do any sawing, cutting at the moment. All i can do right now is work on my future label and logo and post on the forum of course! Thanks

2 Weeks?? Did we say that?? GEESH!! I wants to see it NOW!!!

    Man! Your "Poirier", is already looking better! Looks to me like you got it there!

   "Spray Bomb Serge", way to go!!

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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

Anthony...I go with up to Micro-Mesh 12,000 because I want to spend less time buffing. Wet sanding with Micro-Mesh is a joy...the product is tough and easier to use than conventional paper. It goes quite fast once the surface is leveled from the coarser grits. By the time you get to 6,000 it shines beautifully as it continues to refine the surface. 12,000 grit is like the consistency of leather.

Serge...I believe that StuMac sells Micro-Mesh...possibly even Lee Valley. Otherwise, do a Google search.

Billy is right about being more aggressive early on if you have ripples and runs to level. I've had best results by leveling (320 to 600 grit) after 4-6 coats and then carefully spraying the remaining coats over a leveled and smooth surface. Final wet sanding (600 to 12,000)is then much easier and faster.

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

Lee Valley use to sell it many years ago but they don't know.

Serge if you take a look here at Richelieu, they are a Mohawk finishing distributor in your area, looks like a 20 min drive. You'll like this place. They sell micromesh. Hope your wallet is fat though cause it isn't cheap stuff, but if you take care of it, it will last you a long long long time.

Here's a link for micro mesh from Mohawk with prices, don't think that is Canadian though and I don't know if that is the Richelieu price either.

It sure is looking good buddy. You'll get it.Rod True38991.0863888889

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

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

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

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

Thanks folks, i just checked with Richelieu and the prices are out of my league, i think i'll go up to 2000 grits and that'll be it for what i can afford!

Finished spraying tonight, 15 coats on the top and 12-13 coats on the back and sides. Gonna let it dry for a couple of weeks now and sand level after.

That will give me a break from finishing and will be able to return to the mando building a bit!

Thanks for all the encouragement and great input guys, it really means a lot to me!

Serge

Lovely guitar, Serge, I wish I had your patience!!

Thanks to seeing how the purpleheart bindings on your guitar gleam under finish, I bought a chunk of the stuff for carving, the other day!!!

Serge, check this site for a less expensive set of Micro-Mesh. These are 6" round disks but are the same grits you would find in the regular kit from Stew Mac and others.

Micro-mesh

Great price for an entry level kit!

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Wow, that is a good price Dave, thanks for the reference.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

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

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

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

Thanks Sam, Dave and Rod

Sam, the pics donet really do the bindings justice, it glows even more up close, one trick with purple heart when finishing, if you have to sand it, it will turn grey, let it rest a while and it will come back to it's full purple color again so don't put any finish on it right after sanding, i know this now!

Dave, thanks a million my friend, great price, i will check that out!

Rod, JJ and Billy, sorry if my last reply was cut a little short last night, it was late and couldn't keep my eyes open any longer! I still appreciate all the help guys!

Thanks

Serge

Serge, That sounds great. Did you say they were going to be down here for 6 months ? That will be cool to see and play your guitar my friend!I'm looking forward to it! I Will be gentle with her      

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Yup buddy, 6 months, i hope the guitar will look nice when you get to play it!

I'm going at Mom's this afternoon, will get their address in Florida that i will forward to ya later on via PM, my folks said they can't wait to meet the nice guy that you are my friend!

Cheers

Serge

Dave, PM sent!

Got it Serge , Thanks

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

[quote=Sleepy Bear]it was late and couldn't keep my eyes open any longer! [/quote]

I heard you post in your sleep!
Learn something new everyday!

   It's funny! I guess it's not really patience in process, but going on to other things in the interim. Enjoy the Mando!

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

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

[QUOTE=Billy Ice T] ]

I heard you post in your sleep!
Learn something new everyday!

   It's funny! I guess it's not really patience in process, but going on to other things in the interim. Enjoy the Mando![/QUOTE]

Yeah i do post in my sleep! In fact, i have a sore paw! Gotta have my CCF before heading back to mando building!

LOL! Thanks Serge for starting the morning off on the right paw.

_________________
Aoibeann