How Far To Sand The Sealer Down?

[thebirthofcool]

Just started to sand the sealer. Two questions: I got it to feel smooth but I can see brush marks. Do I need to sand those down or will the clear take care of that? The brush marks are hazey as is the whole thing but they are worse.

Also, I havent grain filled because I may have got some bad advice that If i did 20-30 coats of nitro I wouldnt need to. I know understand that in the long term the grain will be a problem. Do I have any alternatives for a mirror finish?

Thanks

[CrazyManAndy]

Just started to sand the sealer. Two questions: I got it to feel smooth but I can see brush marks. Do I need to sand those down or will the clear take care of that? The brush marks are hazey as is the whole thing but they are worse.

Also, I havent grain filled because I may have got some bad advice that If i did 20-30 coats of nitro I wouldnt need to. I know understand that in the long term the grain will be a problem. Do I have any alternatives for a mirror finish?

Thanks

I'm not really sure as to the S&S question, but that was bad advice to skip the grain filler. If it is a wood that requires grain filler, mahogany; ash; etc., then you should use grain filler. If you do need to grain fill, then it would be easy to simply sand off the S&S and grain fill. What wood are you finishing?

It might be better for you to go over to the reranch.com forum and ask about the S&S there. It is website dedicated solely to finishing guitars, and you'll likely get a much quicker response as well.

CMA

Edited August 18, 2007 by CrazyManAndy

[thebirthofcool]

Well the problem is I already stained. If I have to concede the mirror finish I will. There will always be other guitars right?

Edited August 18, 2007 by thebirthofcool

[Mattia]

Then sand it off, and start again.

If you want a flat, mirror finish, you MUST fill the grain. No alternatives.

[Drak]

A very clear close-up pic of the grain would certainly help with advice.

[Captain Sociable]

A very clear close-up pic of the grain would certainly help with advice.

I am doing the same thing and I have the same question. How deep is the sealer? What grit of sandpaper should be used? How do you know when all of the sealer is removed?