Official Luthiers Forum!

I've read Dan Erlewine's Guitar Finishing Step-by-Step a couple times through, but the information on satin finishes was limited (basically, "don't buff it"). I'm hoping someone here would know a bit more about 'em.

The project: I've got a 14-year-old, not very valuable, Fender acoustic-electric with a satin finish (nitro, I assume). Of course, anywhere than my arm or hand rubs (neck, lower-left corner of top, bare "pickguard" area) has been buffed to a medium gloss. I'd like to restore the finish to a satin texture. At the risk of sounding like a doofus, is this simply a matter of giving it a light once-over with some 0000 steel wool?

_________________
Dan Greene
Greene Guitars & Custom Strings
(currently just a pipe dream)

Yes!
Maybe wet the wool to get the desired effect you looking for.

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

I prefer Scotchbrite to steel wool, wider selection of "grits" and no oils or metal splinters. Here's a handy chart showing Scotchbrite colors and how they correspond to other abrasives.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Great! Thanks, guys. I'll let you know what happens.

Brian, I appreciate the Scotch Brite chart. Didn't know there were so many to choose from! Where do you buy your SB pads? I don't recall ever seeing this vast selection of "grits" at, say, a Target or Wal-Mart, or the hardware store.

Dan,
Do yourself a favor and get some Liberon 0000 steel wool. The best steel wool I know of. No oil, long continuous strands.
Works great.
L.

_________________
Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I get it at various places. The local Sherwin Williams has maroon and grey. My local auto body supplier has a decent selection of the finer ones, that is a great place for all kinds of finish supplies besides abrasives like tape, thinners and retarders. Then there is always the net.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

here's the rub...

a satin finish is achieved by the little balls of silica that are in the product...to get an even finish one of course must keep it well mixed...what happens is that they are in and ON the finish...the particles that get to the surface act as diffusers of light as opposed to reflecting like a gloss finish does...

sooooo...there is no real way to 'restore' a satin finish...dulling with steel wool or some other sort of fine abrasive will simulate the effect, but not match it...

if one is building up a 'thick' finish it is a good idea to use gloss for the first coats and satin for the last 2 coats...the reason?, because the particles of silica will make a thick finish look milky (because they are also in the finish)

Aww, man, there's always a rub! Thanks for the insight, Mike. Will take that into consideration.

_________________
Dan Greene
Greene Guitars & Custom Strings
(currently just a pipe dream)

Sand with 320 grit,
then spray a coat or 2.
Satin is so nice, because no polishing is required!