Official Luthiers Forum!

What are folks using after Menzerna Fine and Extra-Fine? I have a variety of products, but can't quite figure out where to go after buffing.

TIA,
Ken

_________________
Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

I use finesse it a 3M product and maquires swirl remover.

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

3M finesse-it is the bomb bomb bomb!!! (That's a triple). I love it so much I bought a gallon, about $125. That's how much I love it.

Mikey

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Are you guys using a buffing wheel and a portable drill, or are you working by hand? If by hand, what type of pad do you use?

Thanx for the input,
Ken

_________________
Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

buffing wheel for me

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Air powered mini buffer, an automotive product similar to a standard electric drill except very small and very fast turning.

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

I've been killing myself doing this by hand, and HAVE to move on from that!!@#$ I've got an arbor and large buffing wheels for the Menzerna steps. From there I'd like to move inside (from the shop) and use something smaller. I'd picture going to a mini-buffer, and a 3-1/4 or 5" wheel (I guess). What kind of wheel are you guys using? foam? wool? what works best with the liquid 3M products?

As for the 3M products themselves, I love them! I'm just killing my arms and hands doing this manually

_________________
Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Extra fine seems like overkill to me. After sanding to 1200 or 1500 grit, I take it to the wheel with medium, then sometimes fine, but even fine seems like it's not necessary. I then use Novus 1 wiped on with an old t-shirt.

I use a little maybe 3" yellow foam mop/wheel thingy in my mini buffer. It goes maybe 4 instruments and then needs to be replaced, it just velcros on so its no big deal...

Mikey

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Sorry, kind of off topic, but what do people think of using the angle grinder type buffers instead of a proper fixed buffing wheel? Is it possible to get good results?

_________________
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso

https://www.facebook.com/FenskeGuitars

My concern is those angle grinder spins way too fast, unless you were buffing polyester or glass it would burn through lacquer in a millisecond.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I don't mean to speak on behalf of PeterF, but I believe he is talking about the buffing machines used in the automotive business, which kind of look like an angle grinder, but spin at a much slower speed.

I have seen videos of Fender using them... but I think they are designed for liquid compound rather than buffing sticks.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I was talking about something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301113160823? ... EBIDX%3AIT
I've never done any power buffing before and don't really have a clue. I'd be using it on varnish, not lacquer. Don't know if that would make a difference. I just can't afford a full buffing wheel setup right now and am looking into alternatives.

_________________
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso

https://www.facebook.com/FenskeGuitars