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Hi,
I would like to know the best way to rubb out a gloss finish to a satin.

I'm working on an electric that has 16 coats of em6000 on the body and a Tru oiled neck.

Should I level sand starting with 800 and then 0000 steelwool or ????

Any advice would be helpful!!

I know I should have posted in the electric forum, but I figured I would get more answers here....

Thanks ,
Jeff

I haven't used the water based finishes, but with nitro I start with P1200 and then P1500 wet/dry and then use Abralon pads in 2000 for a satin finish or then go to 4000 for a semi-gloss. After the 4000 I go to the buffing wheel and then swirl polish for a high gloss. Just stop when you get the look you want.

Hope this helps...

Chuck

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16 coats is a lot of finish. Good thing it's an electric.

Level with 600 3m gold (dry sanding), then 800 3m gold, then you could just move to 000 steelwool with mineral spirits as a cutting agent, then 0000 steelwool with the same. If you want a semi gloss you can use the 0000 with a paste wax, that's what this is.

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My schedule is via a RO sander:
400 Dry
600 Dry
1000 Mirka Dry
2000 Abralon Wet
Old worn 2000 Abralon with Rottenstone wet
You can stop there or take it one step further with McGuires 7 or paste wax by hand

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

FYI, I've been warned against using steel wool products on water based finishes (I think I read this in the EM6000 instructions)

Trev

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Good to know. Practice on scrap first as usual.

You could use the synthetic steel wool then....

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

The issue is using steel wool between coats on a water based finish (fibers get stuck between coats and rust). Shouldn't be an issue with rubbing out the finish. That being said, I'm a fan of the synthetic pads.

Eric