Final Polishing - Reranch Nitro

[teleman78]

Hello all,

So I'm finally done spraying my Fiesta Red Strat body with Retanch nitro, it took me like 2 - 3 months, after mistakes were made and had to start over twice it's finally getting there. I'm done with the primer, color coat and clear coats so now I'm looking for the gloss finish, I went on the reranch tutorial section and found this:

"Final Polishing

After allowing the instrument to dry at least three days (with nitrocellulose lacquer, the longer the better) final sanding and polishing can be done. The sanding will be done with successively finer grades of paper. The paper found at automotive color supply stores works well. The grades required are #400, #600, #800, #1000, #1200, #1500 and #2000. One sheet of each is all that is required. Allow the paper to soak overnight in water before beginning."

Is this really accurate? I'm very skeptical of sanding the clear coat and want to be sure this is the best way to do it. After sanding it talks about using 3M Finesse it polishing compound.

Any guidance and recommendations regarding this process would be greatly appreciated, this is my first nitro build so I can use all the guidance I can get.

Thanks,

 

[carter840]

I would start with 600 unless you you have significant runs or orange peel. Then progress as suggested to 1500 or even 2000. Then yes you'll need to use a polishing compound. You can find these in automotive stores but just be sure whatever you use for a compound is silicone free.

When sanding you will likely want to wetsand (other can chime in on wether to use water or something like mineral spirits- I'm a newb in that regard). I would wait at least a few weeks for the final clear coat to dry before you wetsand though.

Also when sanding be very carefully on the edged and corners of the guitar. It can be very easy to sand through the lacquer in these areas.

 

[teleman78]

Thanks for the reply, I guess this is a "hurry up and wait" process. I'll give it like a month to dry and in the mean time I'll do research and line up my materials

 

[Steve Holt]

I've had some experience with reranch paints and done a lot of finishing and refinishing myself.

I'd definitely do the wet sanding (with mineral spirits). And like carter840 said, start with a higher grit. Personally I'd start even higher than 600, like 800 or 1000 and if that's not getting anything done move down. I say this because I have notoriously bad luck when it comes to sanding through the finish. So take it easy, go light and don't apply much pressure, especially on the edges. After you get that done, if you can find a way to buff the finish DO IT. In my opinion buffing will take your finish job from "I did this in his garage with a rattle can" to "I had this professionally done...by me."

Stewmac sells a buffing rig that is very expensive. I didn't want to go that route, but I have a lathe so I set up a buffing wheel on that, bought the menzerna (I think) compounds and it works great! If you have any questions on this process or any other, hit me up and I'll share my limited knowledge and experience.

 

[RLee77]

Also when sanding be very carefully on the edged and corners of the guitar. It can be very easy to sand through the lacquer in these areas.

+1. Use a light touch! It's very easy to sand thru at later grits. As you progress thru the grits, use an increasingly lighter touch, and as carter mentioned, be super careful with edges; they don't retain much finish.
Also, I agree about not starting with anything coarser than 800; try to get any ridges out with 800, then move finer.

 

[teleman78]

Thanks Steve and Rlee, this is exactly what I wanted to hear. I felt that if I was to start with 400 I would probably run into trouble. I think I will follow your advise to start with 800 then move to 1000 and 2000 which is what I already have. I also have a orbital sander with a wool pad that I can use for polishing after sanding. Here she is so far, let me know your thoughts. Thanks again

 

[Steve Holt]

I really like the reranch Fiesta red! And yours looks great. Be sure and update us with some photos when you're done, as I'm going add this thread to my watch list.

Here's my project with all reranch paints
It's Fiesta red, Olympic white, black, and surf green (maybe seafoam I can't remember without looking at the can.)

 

[teleman78]

That looks so cool! Love the colors! I'll definitely post some final pictures when done. Thanks

 

[teleman78]

Here is the finished product

 

[Joe Sailor]

Looks great! After sanding (2000?) how did you buff it?

 

[teleman78]

Thanks, wet sanded it with 2000 then buffed it with 3M finesse it II (That stuff is really great but expensive)

 

[Steve Holt]

Man that is really cool!! how does it play??

 

[adjason]

Right on-that color looks good

 

[teleman78]

Man that is really cool!! how does it play??

It plays great so far and I have not adjusted the truss rod yet, I want to wait about a month before I do that, I want to make sure everything is set before I start making that adjustment. It's got a baseball bat neck so I believe is pretty good even without the truss rod adjustment, I guess baseball bats don't really curl much [emoji6]

 

[teleman78]

Right on-that color looks good

Thanks dude! It really means a lot considering the amount of work and patience I've spent, there were A LOT of bumps on the road but I'm glad it turned out beautifully

 

[Blue Bill]

Wow that came out killer good!