Les Paul Refinish Advice Please

[werdna]

Post spray, start sanding with say 800 grit until it's smooth. Then I go up to 1200 and then 2000. Then I go to 3000 and then 5000. Each sand is easier than the last. Finally, use car polish. The result is a flawless finish. Use wet and dry paper up to 2000, then at Wairau Paint buy two pads for sanding machines in grades 3000 and 5000, because these grades aren't available in paper. The sanding pads are used dry and without the machine and get a better and faster finish than if leap from 2000 grit to car polish.

This is good advise……….which I didn’t take this week on final sanding and finishing my own guitar. I went to 1200 (as that was all I could find at hardware shops) and then 2 different grades of polish/cutting compound. Unfortunately it had obvious swirls!
Can I start the process again with 800? I found some 1500 and 2000 at super cheap in the end. Not looking for mirror polish, just swirl free. Matter of fact I’m hoping to age it and crack the lacquer, but gotta start with a good finish first, then ruin it!

Just go back with 2000, 3000 and 5000 then car polish. You'll take off the swirls but not much else, as they're only mildly abrasive.

[Lostininverness]

Once I figure out the swirl marks issue I’ll do some proper pics and post in my other thread.
I just had to put it together to see how it sounded though!

I’d be buffing the swirls out if they’re not too deep

I think one of the cutting compounds was the problem, I’ll go back to a swirl remover type one and try again, might be a back to 800 grit to get right though….will see.
Looks ok from 5 metres though!!! Haha.

Pickguard looks good - top effort!

[Will.R]

Spraying is the easy part. Nitro goes on very thin and is touch dry within minutes. Once it's touch dry, spray again. Each time you spray the next layer melts into the old one, and you can opt for giving many light coats rather than trying to nail it in fewer. There's debate over how thick to apply nitro/how many coats is required. I give more coats than recommended and have nevertheless always got a thin finish.

Post spray, start sanding with say 800 grit until it's smooth. Then I go up to 1200 and then 2000. Then I go to 3000 and then 5000. Each sand is easier than the last. Finally, use car polish. The result is a flawless finish. Use wet and dry paper up to 2000, then at Wairau Paint buy two pads for sanding machines in grades 3000 and 5000, because these grades aren't available in paper. The sanding pads are used dry and without the machine and get a better and faster finish than if leap from 2000 grit to car polish.

Take some before and after photos and post them, if you can be bothered.

Thanks very much for the advice, it's much appreciated! When I get round to getting all the gear it I'll take some photos before I take the original finish off

[Will.R]

Post spray, start sanding with say 800 grit until it's smooth. Then I go up to 1200 and then 2000. Then I go to 3000 and then 5000. Each sand is easier than the last. Finally, use car polish. The result is a flawless finish. Use wet and dry paper up to 2000, then at Wairau Paint buy two pads for sanding machines in grades 3000 and 5000, because these grades aren't available in paper. The sanding pads are used dry and without the machine and get a better and faster finish than if leap from 2000 grit to car polish.

This is good advise……….which I didn’t take this week on final sanding and finishing my own guitar. I went to 1200 (as that was all I could find at hardware shops) and then 2 different grades of polish/cutting compound. Unfortunately it had obvious swirls!
Can I start the process again with 800? I found some 1500 and 2000 at super cheap in the end. Not looking for mirror polish, just swirl free. Matter of fact I’m hoping to age it and crack the lacquer, but gotta start with a good finish first, then ruin it!

Reg this colour is great! Did you get your nitro from Wairau Paint Centre as well?