Buffing Nitrocellulose Lacquer

[mirwa]

I am reposting this earlier photo so people can understand what I mean by high glosss reflective surface

On the back of the guitar you can clearly see a light fixture with two light tubes, you can also see the saxophones hanging from the roof of my workshop 2 metres away from the back of the guitar.

The ability to get that finish comes down more to the use of commercial buffing machines with a little know how

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by mirwa

The reflective light looks very dispersed. I would call that almost a satin finish.

There is a difference between polished and high gloss reflective surface.

Steve

No, it is quite glossy.

[redir]

You should be able to shave in the mirror finish of a high gloss reflective guitar. The top seems to hide that reflectivity more then the back. I can actually get reasonably good results with FP right off the rag but I have never been able to get that factory level mirror gloss and I have resolved myself to saying, I don't want that anyway

I do own one guitar like that finished with Nitro to a mirror gloss and it is pretty cool but also takes away from the wood too imho.

It's funny though how even a cheap Washburn can accomplish that finish while many hand builders never do. In that sense it may have changed the aesthetic. Back in my music store days we used to call the cheep plywood guitars with the mirror finish polished turds.

[Rmouton]

Here is what I was able to accomplish. You may need to open it in another window. I'm learning how to do pics.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/191431.../shares/n9672P

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by Rmouton

Here is what I was able to accomplish. You may need to open it in another window. I'm learning how to do pics.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/191431.../shares/n9672P

Wow, that is impressive. It is just too much of a mirror for my tastes, it takes away from the appeal of the wood grain.

[mirwa]

Originally Posted by Rmouton

Here is what I was able to accomplish.

Nicely done, what a stunning looking guitar

You can tell that was not a DIY kit guitar bought of the shelf.

Steve

[Rmouton]

Thanks. I agree that this is not the finish for everyone. I like a good shellac French Polished guitar and have done many of those as well. However, I can now offer clients an option. Shellac, mirror shine nitro, satin nitro, pore filled, not pore filled, you get the picture. What I can say is that its a great feeling when you finally achieve this type of finish. Its a lot of work!

[redir]

Originally Posted by Rmouton

Here is what I was able to accomplish. You may need to open it in another window. I'm learning how to do pics.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/191431.../shares/n9672P

Wow! My test was that you should be able to shave, you could do eye surgery in that mirror

[Rmouton]

Originally Posted by mirwa

You can tell that was not a DIY kit guitar bought of the shelf.

Steve

Definitely not a kit. I build everything and do my own finishing, obviously. Here's the one I finished a few month's ago. I wasn't 100% satisfied with the finish yet, but it was acceptable. I have since redesigned the cutaway, redesigned the bridge, use a wider saddle and am changing neck joint and the heel design as well.


https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVmCDBn

[redir]

That's a nice curvy touch with that cutout too Mouton.

[mirwa]

Originally Posted by Rmouton

Definitely not a kit. I build everything and do my own finishing, obviously.

Too many people these days but stewmac guitar kits or similiar and try and sell them as custom made guitars. Kits are great to learn from, but....

Quality work mate

Steve