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im applying finish to my first. im brushing ktm9 and ive got four coats on the back and sides and three on the top. i tried to sand some drips out on the sides after two coats and noticed that it was pretty easy to sand through before i got things level. the back and top stay free of drips because they are horizontal when im applying the finish, but the sides are kinda ugly. i was using a cork padded plywood block. is there a better way? what about a sanding sponge? do i just need to be more careful? also, any tips for brushing? im more or less following the brush finishing schedule as per the lmi web site. im not set up to spray, but i dont think ill brush subsequent guitars. any help or advice appreciated.

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sweat the small stuff.

drips

find an automotive paint supplier in your area and get a meguiars unigrit sanding block to knock those down with..

or order online...

here's a link to the product I'm referring to: http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/megk1000.html

I've tried various methods to deal with drips, and those work the best...if it becomes chipped just use some 320 grit sandpaper on a flat surface, wet it up, and sand the block back into shape...of course use lots of water with the block as it clogs up fairly easily...

I like to scrap drips/runs with a single edge razor blade. Round the corner and tap the corners too. Than just localize the scraping to the drip. You won't scrap it any lower than the rest of the finish material this way. No sanding, just scrape it.

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I mostly will sand runs or drop fills .. I use UHMW plastic blocks, chamfered edges, and thin 1/16 foam padding for all my sanding. Whne doing a run or drop fill though, I use only the block, hard. That way the faom will not contour to the fill and sand around it it - it knocks it down first - thats what you are after. Once all the fills are levelled, back to the block with the foam. For all my levelling, I use 400 grit wet dry.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

thanks guys. that makes sense. ill ditch the cork or try a razor blade to get the worst areas level first.

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sweat the small stuff.

Heath,
I like felt blocks for general finish sanding - http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/ ... em=BH90210 - and like Tony I use small UHMW blocks for runs or drops. I have one that's about 3/4 inch square for those little spots. I cut the felt block in half because I like a smaller block. Just make sure to switch back to the softer block when the high spot is level.

Chuck

I'm also pretty new to finishing and am using the little Mars plastic erasers as sanding blocks - love em. Perhaps as one gets better, you can use bigger and bigger blocks.

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Personally, I like the blocks the Auto Body guys use...
I have had by far the best luck with Dura-blocks. They are a poly foam construction -- so no worries about mold/whatever when wet sanding.

They hold up very well -- I was paint-thinner sanding Shellac. NO problems... Used the same blocks for water sanding varnish -- no problems.

I haven't had any luck with the cheapies in the hardware store... they are either too hard or too soft or whatever... just not good.

As for drips -- I guess it depends on the finish.
Wiping is bad for spray finishes.... but wiping with a solvent soaked rag works great with varnish. It makes the runs *much* smaller or gone.

Good luck

John