Section 3 - Finishing Your Guitar
J Bass Section 3 - 4 -
3.2.6
Clear Top coats
Apply several thin coats of the finish, following the manufacturer's instructions. Multiple thin coats
usually produce a better quality finish than one heavy coat. Dry sand the entire body with #400 grit
wet/dry sandpaper after at least three coats of finish have been applied. DO NOT sand through the
finish, be careful on the edges. Use a tack cloth to remove sanding residue. Apply more finish, sanding
between coats, until the finish is the desired thickness.
3.2.7
Buff finish
When the final coat has dried at least a week, preferably a month, remove the masking. Wet sand the
finish using #600 grit wet/dry sandpaper with a sanding block, followed with #1000 grit wet/dry
sandpaper. Use a clean, absorbent rag to remove excess water. Let the guitar dry completely, then use
a tack cloth to remove all residue. Buff the finish by hand or with a buffer, starting with a medium polish
and working up to a high gloss polish.
Note: If you use a buffing machine, be careful to avoid going through the finish, especially on the edges.
