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PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 3:57 pm 
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Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2017 3:50 pm
Posts: 3
First name: Matthew
Last Name: Armshaw
City: Stratford
State: CT
Zip/Postal Code: 06614
Country: USA
Focus: Repair
Status: Amateur
Hello,

I think this is the correct forum for this question. I am in the process of refinishing a Stratocaster. I am looking into buying a polishing wheel for the final buffing/polishing of the finish. Most tutorials I have researched suggest a speed of about 1800 RPM. I have found a variable speed (2000 - 7000 rpm) buffer at a very reasonable price. I was wondering if anyone with experience can tell me if it would be dangerous to the wood or finish of the guitar to polish at a speed of 2000 rpm rather than 1800 rpm?

Thanks,
MattSA


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PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 12:39 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:46 pm
Posts: 2124
First name: Freeman
Last Name: Keller
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Matt, what kind of finish have you put on the strat? What size wheels and what compound are you going to use for the buff?


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 8:50 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:06 pm
Posts: 2739
Location: Magnolia DE
First name: Brian
Last Name: Howard
City: Magnolia
State: Delaware
Zip/Postal Code: 19962
Country: United States
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
speed needs to be figured in feet per minute on the surface of the buff, the correct speed for buffing finishes is around 2750 FPM. Buffing faster imparts more heat which can cause the coating to fail and peel or gum up, it will also cut much faster and eat through at edges with ease.

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 11:03 am 
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Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2017 3:50 pm
Posts: 3
First name: Matthew
Last Name: Armshaw
City: Stratford
State: CT
Zip/Postal Code: 06614
Country: USA
Focus: Repair
Status: Amateur
I was hoping to use 8" buffing wheels, but I also have 5" buffing wheels. The finish is KTM9 water-based lacquer from Luthiers Mercantile Inc.

Thanks,
MattSA


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 12:34 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:46 pm
Posts: 2124
First name: Freeman
Last Name: Keller
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
OIK, an 8 inch diameter buff is about 2 foot circumference. Taking Brian's figure of 2750 FPM for the outside of the buff means it should be spinning at around 1300-1400 rpm. StewMac's buffer has 14 inch wheels and turns 715 rpm, that gives a buff speed around 2600 FPM, again, right at Brian's target.

I have a cheap buffer with 8 inch wheels that turns 3500 rpm, it works but I have to be very careful with it - I have burned into lacquer with it. Certainly 2000 or 1800 would be better, and slower would be better yet - I don't have enough experience to say if you'll have problems with 2000. This guitar is KTM-9 buffed on the wheel and there is a little flaw about half way between the neck pup and the waist - it is almost impossible to fix something like that. Not a great picture, sorry

Image

Another option that works pretty well are the foam pads for a drill motor. Instead of using buffing compound you can use automobile polishing compounds. If you are only going to do one or two instruments that can be cost effective. I've use them with good results on both KTM-9 and nitro.


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PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:41 pm 
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Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2017 3:50 pm
Posts: 3
First name: Matthew
Last Name: Armshaw
City: Stratford
State: CT
Zip/Postal Code: 06614
Country: USA
Focus: Repair
Status: Amateur
Thanks for the facts. I have some time before buffing, so I will consider the options.

Thanks again,
MattSA


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