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I`ve always sanded with the grain when leveling,but I remember someone saying that they sanded across the grain so they could eliminate scratches from a previous grit.And I know some people sand in a circular motion.I will be dry sanding,cause it`s hard for me to see what`s going on when wet sanding.So is sanding across the grain or circular going to produce a scratch free finish with Em 6000? Also I will be using a buffer.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Seems to me that finish has no grain. So as long as you sand things to a fine enough grit for the buffer to remove you should be able to sand any which way you like...

Yup, what the fool said

You really do have to ensure you get all previous sanding scratches out as you move up the grits. The other thing I would suggest is to not worry about wet sanding. I've done the dry sand thing and honestly, after wet sanding the last guitar, I actually like it better and it only takes a wipe of a paper towel and about 10 seconds before you see your progress. My bet is you'll go through less paper by wet sanding and It seems like you get a better rub out by wet sanding too. You can use mineral spirits with the EM6000.

Also, I'd go up to 1500P minimum and 2000P to be on the safe side (this last rub out shouldn't take long at all) before you go to the buffer. I learned alot on the last guitar I finished (just a couple weeks back) and I've changed the way I do things which I think are for the better for me.

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Thanks guys.For some reason it really freaks me out sanding against the grain.I`ll give it a try.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Just try it in a small area, maybe on the back of the headstock, rather then on a large section. Work one small area of all grits first and you'll get a good idea of how you like it or not.

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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

I use the low-odor mineral spirits when wet sanding EM6000.

I have read recommendations to sand with each grit at right angles to the previous one so that you can see when the scratches from the previous grit are gone. Makes sense to me but I haven't tried it yet. I plan to on the next one.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Just make sure you don't start with too coarse of a grit. I use 600G to level interim coats, but once the last coat is down, I only use 800G and finer. I use sterated papers dry and go to 1200G or 1400G prior to buffing.

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Ken,are you using p grade papers?
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

James, Yes, p graded, primarily Klingspor.

Ken

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So p600 is about 380 grit (cami) and p800 is about 450 grit. That's about how I do it.