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After preaching about my favorite brands of finishes and techniques for years I decided to try some new products (new to me!) After experimenting with several different brands and methods I've stumbled across a system that has amazed the shit outa me!!! These are not brand new products but I'm kinda "old school" and have been stubborn about changes. For all of you who are painting your own guitars, this may be useful info.
First, the clear poly (and this will work great with any brand of base color). It's branded "Omni", and is the MC260 "quick clear". It's actually made by PPG and is their 2nd line product. I prefer the medium catalyst, but they offer it in fast, medium, and slow (depending on temp). This stuff lays on like glass, and buffs EASY!!! The resulting gloss is second to none!
Next is the sanding method. Throw away that wet/dry paper! I tried a product made by 3M they call "Fine Finishing Film". This is a mylar backed abrasive that can be used with a DA sander. The beauty is you can use it Dry! Let the clear harden over night, then use the 1200 grit Finishing film (part# 00850) to flatten the surface. On a guitar, this would probably take less than three minutes front and back! Then follow that with 3M "Perfect It" rubbing compound and you'll have a mirror finish in no time. The clear buffs so nice you can do it by hand. I use a buffer with a wool pad though.
Here's a car I just finished. Normally I would spend about 3 hours per panel wet sanding and buffing. With these products I averaged about 30 minutes per panel and it looks like glass! I have to say this is probably one of the nicer paint jobs I've ever turned out and it took me about 1/4 the time I'm used to. Somebody MUST try this n a guitar, it works! (Sully???)
First, the clear poly (and this will work great with any brand of base color). It's branded "Omni", and is the MC260 "quick clear". It's actually made by PPG and is their 2nd line product. I prefer the medium catalyst, but they offer it in fast, medium, and slow (depending on temp). This stuff lays on like glass, and buffs EASY!!! The resulting gloss is second to none!
Next is the sanding method. Throw away that wet/dry paper! I tried a product made by 3M they call "Fine Finishing Film". This is a mylar backed abrasive that can be used with a DA sander. The beauty is you can use it Dry! Let the clear harden over night, then use the 1200 grit Finishing film (part# 00850) to flatten the surface. On a guitar, this would probably take less than three minutes front and back! Then follow that with 3M "Perfect It" rubbing compound and you'll have a mirror finish in no time. The clear buffs so nice you can do it by hand. I use a buffer with a wool pad though.
Here's a car I just finished. Normally I would spend about 3 hours per panel wet sanding and buffing. With these products I averaged about 30 minutes per panel and it looks like glass! I have to say this is probably one of the nicer paint jobs I've ever turned out and it took me about 1/4 the time I'm used to. Somebody MUST try this n a guitar, it works! (Sully???)
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