Can Garolite be polished without lacquer?

I'm entering the final stages of my LP/Tele hybrid build. The pickguard made from an old thick LP kind of failed. See here:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/307439-ive-read-months-first-build-time-your-thoughts-2.html#post4149449

I ordered up some 1/16 XX Black Garolite from McMaster Carr, should be here today. I can't seems to find an answer to this though. Can it be polished without lacquering? I'm not looking do a mirror shine, more like an eggshell matte black. Can this be done by progressing thought fine grit sandpaper?

This is unpolished unlacquered garolite pickguard. I don't think it would polish well since it is a phenolic.... but who knows, give it a shot. Oh Ya... don't breathe any of the dust.

This pic is in direct sun.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/tdpri-2010-%24210-tele-build-challenge/47593d1272150795-2010-tdpri-%24210-challenge-el-rey-de-cobre-114-1442c-jpg

This pic is in the shade outside.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/tdpri-2010-%24210-tele-build-challenge/47588d1272150620-2010-tdpri-%24210-challenge-el-rey-de-cobre-114-1442b-jpg

Hey Mike, yeah your build came up in my research, thx for checking in. Dust mask check.

I think you could get a nice matte look but it will be more dark grey than black without finish of some kind.

It gets shiny if you keep at it, but nowhere near as shiny as lacquer.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l289/andrewwendel/20120511_161535.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l289/andrewwendel/20120511_161503.jpg

Garolite likes wax. I believe there is some Renaissance Wax on this one, but it doesn't alter the appearance much.

Unfinished, it also has a tendency to absorb water, oil, and almost anything else, although not too deeply, and this doesn't mean it will warp. It just marks up quickly. If you don't want this to happen, just spray it with any quick-drying material that has the texture you want, and it should be good to go.

Thank you! Perfect, your picture is exactly the look I was hoping for. I want it to look like the bottom of an old percolator.

It gets shiny if you keep at it, but nowhere near as shiny as lacquer.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l289/andrewwendel/20120511_161535.jpg

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l289/andrewwendel/20120511_161503.jpg

This has lacquer but it is almost all rubbed off in my attempt to antique it.
p.s. does it look like the bottom of an old toaster?

Fatcat, Glad to hear it! I took those photos just now in response to your question.

Undisputable Fact: This place is the class of the Internet. Thanks again for doing that.

Fatcat, Glad to hear it! I took those photos just now in response to your question.

Undisputable Fact: This place is the class of the Internet. Thanks again for doing that.

Fatcat, Glad to hear it! I took those photos just now in response to your question.

Look what just showed up! Is it bad that I'm a day away ground from McMaster Carr?

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t141/deejayfatcat/557f573a.jpg