wet sanding the clear coat

[titan7]

The new Model 2 has lots of little scuffs I would like to take out. I tried 2000 grit w/d paper and then followed up with 3m rubbing compound. It worked fine but I think I could get away with a higher grit paper, like 2500-3000, is there such a thing? Wow this is a lot of work, I don't want to use a buffer for fear of removing too much clear coat so I am doing it by hand.

Any sugestions?

[missionguitars1]

You might want to try Micro-Mesh pads, I know a couple guys that rave about them...check it out - http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishin...sives_Kit.html

[slash]

MicroMesh pads are great.... I even like to use them to polish frets because they don't make a mess like steel wool.

[titan7]

Thanks for the tip!

[Bengal65]

Micro-Mesh, Micro-Mesh! They work great wet sanding and you can wash them clean after use. They are great!

[Fretburner]

1000 grit wet sanded works great!

[sully]

1000 grit wet sanded works great!

if you love buffing! i dunno, i sand 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, and sometimes 2500, then fine cut rubbing compound, then swirl remover.

sully

[alfredpotter]

a refinisher I was recently talking to said they go all the way up to 4000grit. It's as smooth as glass I have no idea how it's even called sandpaper.

[JetFixxxer]

I use 2500, 3000, 3500 and 4000..

[Learn Guitars]

2500 gt minimum unless you have a high speed spindle buffer. Epecially with the Polyester topcoats. They are tough to get 1000gt out of.

[titan7]

Well, I did it with 2000gt then went to 3M lightcut rubbing compound, then 3M swirl remover. I got as much as I am willing to take out, which was a lot. Oh, what a arm and shoulder workout!! All by hand, 3 1/2 hours!!

There are still some deeper scuffs but this thing will never be new again so I am fine with what I did, it looks new from 2 feet away!

One thing I did notice are some "feathers" in under the clear cloat, it looks like a thing white line in the red paint, but it's under the surface of the clear coat????

Anyone know what these are?? Just courious.

[RobRR]

Actually, youd be VERY surprised how thick those older clearcoats are. I have a model 2 body that was scratched to hell... someone scratched the word "beth" into it pretty deep... wouldnt you know I got it all out without hitting the basecoat.

[titan7]

WOW, that's some deep marks.

[sully]

Well, I did it with 2000gt then went to 3M lightcut rubbing compound, then 3M swirl remover. I got as much as I am willing to take out, which was a lot. Oh, what a arm and shoulder workout!! All by hand, 3 1/2 hours!!

There are still some deeper scuffs but this thing will never be new again so I am fine with what I did, it looks new from 2 feet away!

One thing I did notice are some "feathers" in under the clear cloat, it looks like a thing white line in the red paint, but it's under the surface of the clear coat????

Anyone know what these are?? Just courious.

without a pic, it's hard to say, but it's common for lint or dust to get under the clear, especially if you don't have a paint booth. if you can post some pics, that'd help.

one thing that can help is getting some foam buffing pads for your drill; stewmac sells them, but you can also find them at auto parts stores. it'll save your arm!

sully