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Hello All,
Has anyone tried using 3M Hookit or finesse it buffing pads and a randon orbit sander for buffing out a finished guitar? I don't have access to a buffing wheel set up right now and can't afford a new one at present. I was thinking of using my 5" Bosch random orbit sander, and the 5 1/4" pads along with the buffing compund, and finishing up with swirl remover. My first flamenco guitar is built and will be pore filled this weekend. I will be using Zpoxy, silica media, and spraying with KTM9. Thanks to everyone for all of the info provided by searching this great forum. I could never have gotten so far, so fast without the help found here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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John Nowicki

I use 3m pads on a random orbital sander but not for buffing out. Never tried the 3m finesse pads. I looked them up and i don't see why you couldn't. Another tip is i know people who have used a car type hand buffer for final buffing on guitars.

I have used the surbuf pads sold by Lee Valley on a ROS with the Menzerna pastes (not the ones people use on a buffer). They work pretty well.

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

I have not used the two types you describe, but have used the "auto buffer" with auto buffing paste, which has provided good results, with 2 caveats - 1) it's almost impossible to get into the neck joint, and 2) DON'T get the paste on the fretboard - you'll never get the white stuff out of the pores.

Your random orbit sander isn't likely to up to the job. Part of successfully buffing up lacquer is creating just the right amount of heat from the friction of the buffing wheel and finish. A random orbit sander just won't do that.

The option that I use is to chuck the 8" hookit pad into my drill press and use that. It'd be a good idea to put some more padding around things than I have in this photo.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
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Cairns, Australia

Thanks, Using the drill press is a great idea! I also found some polishing pads for my 5"ROS made by Gator Finishing Products. I pore filled today with Z-Poxy. That worked out pretty well. I'll have some sanding to do tomorrow...Thanks again!

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John Nowicki