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I have had reasonably good success using Stew-Mac ColorTone polishing compounds and foam pads on a drill clamped into a vise. I typically will wet sand EM6000 using odorless mineral spirits and 1000 grit wet/dry paper, followed by the ColorTone, coarse, medium, and fine liquid compounds. But, I’m thinking of stepping up my game.

With two buffing wheels which two of the Menzerna compounds should I get? I see that LMI has 5 grades… If I wet sand with 1000 grit paper, can I use fine and very fine? Should I use 1200 or higher paper? I’d prefer to limit the number of buffing wheels to 2. Are more wheels necessary or desirable? Any guidance is appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I use medium & fine (on nitro) then a swirl remover polish by hand.

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Here are the choices from LMI…

Menzerna stick, 600 grit (dark brown color)
Menzerna stick, 800-1000 grit (salmon pink color)
Menzerna stick, fine grade (ivory color)
Menzerna stick, very fine grade (olive color)
Menzerna stick, finest grade (tan color), smaller bar

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Stew Mac calls them course, medium, fine & extra fine.

I bought mine from Shane @ High Mountain and he designates them as #18 medium & #16 fine.

If you have additional buffs, you could by 3 different compounds and just change out the buff.

I fine for lacquer that the medium & fine work we'll with the hand polish swirl remover after it's all together.

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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

#18 is no longer available from Menzerna. They have replaced it with P204. I have been using the P204 for a few months and I like it better than the #18. It smells better and is a "dryer" compound bar. Seems like less mess too. You may still be able to find the #18 at some venders that have some old stock.

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jw ( o)===:::

I'd suggest wet sanding to 2000 & then using med. & fine on EM6000. This has worked well for me.

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Dave
Milton, ON