Enough?

[Mickguard]

I'm in the process of spraying my tele with clear coat (automotive rattle cans). There's no color, just a nice layer of sanding sealer underneath.

So far I've done about six coats -- I've emptied out two full cans.

The thing is, it's gone really really well : NO orange peel, NO spits, it looks really good. I'll barely have to do any sanding at all to it --I could probably just buff it and it'd be done.

So I'm tempted to quit while I'm ahead.

But is that enough clear?

I'm not looking for a fortified guitar --I do like the worn in guitar look, and I don't mind if that happens sooner than later.

So is that enough? Can I quit while I'm ahead?

[marksound]

I would think if you're not sanding most of it back off, 6 coats/2 cans is plenty. Is it lacquer or that poly stuff?*

*Good thing it's Friday. You have no idea how long it took me to type this.

[Myka Guitars]

I usually only put on 5-6 coats on my guitars. Who needs 10-15 coats of lacquer anyway? With it that thin the grain may show if you don't use grain filler (I don't use it unless my clients request it). But I like the look of wood and the grain lines look cool to me. This approach won't appeal to the mass market but if you're not trying for that then it's not a problem.

~David

[Drak]

I say your good, let it cure and go for it.

Just remember when buffing it out to not get anywhere near the edges or corners with the buffer, or you will be 'one step forward, two steps back', hehehe...

[Mickguard]

Okay, the masters have spoken --time to put the guitar in the closet!

And yeah, I'll be staying away from those edges --learned my lesson about that with the Bocaster...

The last time I used a buffer pad mounted on a drill --but that was too much and it melted the finish in a couple of spots --maybe I had the speed set way too high? Should I look into picking up a buffer (I've seen some pretty inexpensive models)?

[Drak]

I use the buffer pad on the drill, but I keep it moving very fast back and forth, and I typically use more than 6 coats.

So, you can stop at 6 coats as long as you know what to watch out for, since the finish is a taddy thin.

[Devon Headen]

I've rubbed out by hand before with great results. It's a lot more work, but if you're worried about burning through, you'll have much better control by hand.

[Drak]

Well, I agree that rubbing out by hand can come out nicely, but the only way to gain more experience with buffers is, well, to actually do it. So if you avoid using buffers for fear of burnthrus, you're just robbing yourself of some experience that is quite handy indeed to have.

And hand-rubbing a finish out is a LOT, and I mean a LOT, of additional work.

Fear is not a good reason to avoid something. If you simply like doing finishes by hand, then great, not a problem. But if you're doing it because you're afraid of burnthroughs with a buffer, you just need more experience with buffers, that's all.

And also, I think if we really get honest, a hand rubbed finish, although very nice, really can't compare to what a buffer can do once you understand what you are actually doing when you're buffing a finish out whether by hand or machine (finely scratching the finish)

[rhoads56]

I buffed a guitar yesterday that had only two coats of two pack. I was scared for the entire time, but it came out well. As the other guys say, carefull of the edges. I had a buff through last week on a guitar with at least eight coats.

[thegarehanman]

Why'd you use only 2 coats of clear?

[rhoads56]

because i did. Two coats on black, no clear.

It was easier to refinish the entire thing, than to fix the chips, so thats what i did.

[Mickguard]

Well, I understand pretty well now what I did wrong last time:

1. Used a drill with the rpms set way too high

2. Used a stick compound --I don't think it was soft enough, and I don't think it spread well enough.

As for fear-- the only thing I'm afraid of is fretting a fretboard, which is what is keeping me from trying to build my own neck...

But I think I'll go pick up a buffer --I don't mind doing certain things by hand, but all those repetitive movements will kill my wrists...and I need those to play...

As for the compound --I'm still looking around, but polishing pastes just don't seem to be readily available here. The only thing I've found that seems close are the 'scratch-eraser' polishes they sell for cars --are they useful for this (edit:) purpose or should I just add that to my next Stewmac order?

[Southpa]

The only thing I've found that seems close are the 'scratch-eraser' polishes they sell for cars --are they useful for this purchase

I've had good success with Meguiar's polishes and swirl remover. Usually found in auto body supply stores in N. America but I don't know about Europe. I would expect anything along those lines would work.

[jay5]

Perry, what do you use to buff your guitars with?