Polishing a Martin Satin Finish

[neilca]

I have searched this site and read through many posts on polishing satin finishes. I realize it will not turn to a gloss finish but many posters seem to be pleased with end finish.

I have a Martin DSR-GC that has a catalyzed satin finish, per Martin factory. I am interested in polishing the back and sides only. I was looking at this kit from Stew Mac

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...set-of-2-8-oz/

Anyone use this product to smooth a satin finish Martin?

[phavriluk]

If the guitar has an open-pore finish, polishing till doomsday won't yield a smooth finish. Pores evident forever. Might turn a rough satin finish into a rough shiny finish. Or a bare finish.

[Hoyt]

I usually just put a few coats of polish on satin guitars to shine them up a bit. But, I generally like satin finishes.

[Quickstep192]

Polishing it will make the surface smooth, but it will still look like satin because the finish has an additive in it to change how it reflects light.

I’ve used Meguiars Show Car glaze with good effect. It’s a very mild abrasive and hard to screw up because of that.

As phavraluck points out, it will draw more attention to the open pores I’d it’s an open pore finish and based on some pictures of that guitar, it is indeed an open pore finish.

[ras1500]

I have a 1994 Martin D1R that came with a satin finish. I used automotive polishing compounds with a slow speed random orbit polisher and a foam pad. I had to hand polish in the tight spots around the neck and bridge where the polisher pad would not fit. The results came out good. It now has a slightly reflective gloss appearance.

[neilca]

Originally Posted by ras1500

I have a 1994 Martin D1R that came with a stain finish. I used automotive polishing compounds with a slow speed random orbit polisher and a foam pad. I had to hand polish in the tight spots around the neck and bridge where the polisher pad would not fit. The results came out good. It now has a slightly reflective gloss appearance.

I do not think the Martin is open pore, I will check when I get it back from my luthier.

Was the polishing compound you used a white polishing compound for cars? Or a wax compound?

[ras1500]

"Was the polishing compound you used a white polishing compound for cars? Or a wax compound?"

I used the white compound from Turtle Wax, followed up with McGuire's swirl remover.

[jp2558]

Anyone use Virtuoso polish to do this? I recently acquired a Martim D12X1 with a solid spruce top. It has a satin finish, but I do like the look of the gloss finishes on my Standard Series Martins.

[phavriluk]

That D12X1 is an 'hpl' product.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by jp2558

Anyone use Virtuoso polish to do this? I recently acquired a Martim D12X1 with a solid spruce top. It has a satin finish, but I do like the look of the gloss finishes on my Standard Series Martins.

I used Virtuoso on my satin burst IRIS DF and it came out GREAT! Today, I used in on my satin Cole Clark Thin Line and it did next to nothing. Not sure why. Go figure.

[Mandobart]

When I bought my used HD-28 in 2020 I wanted to replace the tuning machines. I also wanted to polish up the headstock while I had the tuning machines off. Virtuoso wasn't doing much.

I read about Nu Finish polish on the UMGF. I got some and it did the job. The front, sides and back of the headstock shined up to an almost factory gloss with a soft cloth and hand pressure.

I bought a used 000-15SM earlier this year. I pulled the tuning machines to replace the buttons, and while they were off I gave the headstock the Nu Finish treatment, but it didn't have near the same effect as on the HD-28. I believe it's due to the more open pore nature of the 000-15SM's headstock. I did use Virtuoso on the 15SM's top, back and sides. Maybe just a little glossier.

[jp2558]

Originally Posted by phavriluk

That D12X1 is an 'hpl' product.

Back and sides yes but not the top.