Official Luthiers Forum!

I like that slightly sunken pore look with the finish hugging the wood. It takes away some of the glare and adds visual interest. It's almost (not quite) like the texture that some fiddle makers aim for. It's kind of an imperfect look but at least it's imperfect all over. I think it's why some people take to old instruments or old furniture. It's a warmer look. New, flat and very glossy looks a little cold.

My finish from now on is sprayed shellac, from flakes.
I love spraying it,
it's a breeze to polish out,
and I stop at the end of polishing with plastic polish.
Not too shiny, like buffed,
but deep and rich.
I know it's not the most durable for sweat,
but since I make lap steels only,
it's perfect!
A

Would you mind sharing your finishing schedule? What pound cut do you spray, how many coats etc?

I've done one guitar with a brushed on Varathane Pro oil gloss from Home Depot, it worked out pretty good except for the witness lines. Over the last 4 years it has shrunk and developed a nice patina.

The guitar I did after that was all shellac some sprayed some padded on. Sanded and polished out with compounds it developed a nice gloss finish without looking like it was dipped in plastic. Until I find something else that I feel confident in trying I think I will stick with an all shellac finish.

Hi Logan.
I think I used a 1-1/2 lb cut.
I don't count the number of coats,
I just stop when I think there's enough finish on.
I sand with 320 grit every other coat,
then after 3 weeks sand with 600,
use white car polish,
then finish polishing with plastic polish.
A

Of course the both of you are right, along with a few others. Others may have an agenda to uphold, but we that build or built regularly and use nitro or varnish finishes know that the finishes do shrink over time. I don't think anyone addressed my original question of why use mirror glaze when the finish shrinks back enough to rid those minute scratches.

So, what have I learned from my questions?

1) Don't ask questions.
2) If you ask a question, be prepared for answers that have nothing to do with your question.
3) There are folks out there that can make a "perfect" finish (snicker).
4) Most importantly, 2 months =10-120 years.

Have fun...

Assuming by Mirror Glaze you are talking about Meguiar's #9 swirl remover or equivalent, I like it because it's a fast and effective method of getting rid of swirls and fine scratches. Also, it doesn't splatter as much as most liquid compounds. Do you need it? No.

IME it isn't possible to get rid of swirls until the finish has sufficiently hardened. This holds true for varnish and lacquer. Before then, the buff itself will leave swirls.

I haven't experienced the swirls going away with time. It seems more like they become obscured as the finish shrinks back into the wood.

hahaha.
New truisms to live my life by.

cheers, SteveG