Official Luthiers Forum!

I have finished spraying my latest build with EM6000. Not only is this the first time using EM6000, it's also the first time I have used a new Fuji HVLP system. I think I did pretty well for my first effort. I started out kinda light and then got a run on one of my sessions. After using a razor blade and sandpaper (after it dried) to get out the run, I got my spray technique down pretty good. The final coats layed down very nicely. In fact, I'm wondering if I should (need to) begin wet sanding with 600 grit or start with 1000 grit... My intention is to buff with the Colortone medium and then with fine using the Stew Mac foam buffers on a drill, since I don't have a setup with buffing wheels. [This is my seventh guitar - I average about 1 guitar a year...]

- So, what do you think, should I plan to start wet sanding with 600 grit rather than 1000 or would 1000 be okay to start with?

- Can I go from wet sanding with 1000 grit directly to buffing with medium compound or should I follow the 1000 with finer grits before buffing with medium compound? Do I need to use coarse compound?

- Any comments on the Stew Mac foam pads and Colortone buffing paste? Is there something else I should use? Also - what about the drill buffer attachments from somewhere like Harbour Freight that have imitation sheep's wool (synthetic material, I presume). Are they okay or should I stay away from them?

Thanks,
Steve

PS - I'll post photos when Im done...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I am not a fan of wet sanding this stuff. I know others have done so successfully, so I will let them respond. Glad your new spray gun worked for you! Congrats!

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com

I`m with Ken .I`ll start dry sanding with 600 or 800 ,depending on how the final coats look.I`ll try to remove all the little shiny spots before moving on to the next grit.I`ll usually sand up to 1500.Don`t skip grits.I`ve tried all kinds of different buffing set ups .from ros ,grinders drills etc.The only thing I`ve ever been satisfied with is a big buffing set up.There`s nothing like the real deal.I like Menzerna, medium and then fine.I`ve learned that em 6000 takes very light buffing .No need to over do it.

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

You'll probably be ok starting with 1000 and I feel you end up with a much better finish wet sanding much further( I go right up to 2000) before buffing. (Ken, I'm not much of a "fan" either ....min spirits stink! Results much better though IMO)
I've only used Mez & a buffer so can't comment on the foam.

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Dave
Milton, ON

I agree with Dave that the finer the grit you start with the better. If your finish is smooth enough you can start with 1000, all the better!

I do use foam pads for buffing. I use Lake Country foam pads and buff with Menzernas polishes. I use an orange pad with the 2L Pre polish paste and a white one with the PO-91E. I've used those pads for years and really haven't used anything else. But I am sure there are others out there.

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com

Okay - It appears that folks prefer to dry sand EM6000 rather then wet sand... Is that right? I thought that wet sanding helped to keep "goobers" (Robbie O'Brien expression) from forming under the sandpaper and other positive things... Is dry sanding better because EM6000 is water-based?

I have used micromesh on previous biulds using Tru-oil and Deft waterbased in rattle cans (which I didn't like) and achieved a fairly nice shine, but I want to do better with this build using EM6000.

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Well I certainly don't ......sorry if I was unclear. I'll gladly put up with the stink vs. dealing with the pills every 2 seconds! (ie EM6000 wet-sands great with mineral spirits!)

(ps have you seen this? viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=36317&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a )

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Dave
Milton, ON

Get some of the Low Odor Mineral Spirits.

If you dry sand you need to have the correct sandpaper to prevent corning.

I wet sand with low-odor mineral spirits.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I have already purchased the low odor mineral spirits... I need to let the finish cure for another 3 weeks. I was planning to use micromesh. Will that be okay?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Can't speak to EM6000 but I do wet sand KTM9 and it works great. I just use water. I may try mineral spirits on the next one.

And yes, have used micromesh and it works fine. I like to take the finish up to about 8000 then buff. It comes out pretty good

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust