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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Broken Hill
    Posts
    308

    Default Polishing Nitro Cellulose Lacquer?

    Hi Guys,
    Odd question for you - I have bought a guitar body finished in a flat /satin NCL. I now think I would like a gloss or semi-gloss finish. Is it possible to "polish" satin NCL to a higher gloss level or do I have to re-apply with a gloss?
    Many thanks,
    Bruce
    Three wise middle aged monkeys - "see no pot-belly, feel no bald spot, buy no sports car"

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Newcastle, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    66

    Default just use finer paper

    I have been looking at this just today. On Youtube there is plenty of info and demos on doing this. The conclusion I have come to is that you have to get into the 2000 grit paper first, then polish. I have made a solid body guitar out of Camphor Laurel and spray can lacquered it. Now I want to get it just right and it`s not that easy. A friend at my local Mens Shed suggested that I leave it a week to set hard then use the finest steel wool with linseed oil and another oil (which I have forgotten) and rub it down to finish with a nice satin semi gloss. I think I`ll do this. I hope someone else out there knows more.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    3,260

    Default

    From what I recall, the de-glossing agent in paints and varnishes is ultrafine silica and it works by having an ever-so-slightly different index of refraction than the actual varnish, so you'll never be able to get 'piano-gloss' levels of shine from it.

    I'd try some coats of gloss on top, then give that a rub with 1000-2000 grit and then auto paint buffer or U-Beaut's EEE-Ultra Shine.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Broken Hill
    Posts
    308

    Default

    Thanks guys,
    Hmmm - don't know what to do. I might have a practice on the back where things will be less evident. Thanks again.
    Bruce.
    Three wise middle aged monkeys - "see no pot-belly, feel no bald spot, buy no sports car"

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Lower Hunter/Central Coast NSW
    Posts
    47

    Default

    If it were me, I'd scuff the satin with 400 and then recoat with the gloss you want, being careful not to chill the final coat.

    Cheers

    Geoff

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