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My nitrocellulose lacquer finished guitar is completely wet sanded with 600. It was sanded using a regulation hard foam sanding block maybe 2 X 3 inches. There is not a spec of unsanded Finish left but when gun sighting down the neck, the finish is not flat (like a sheet of glass), it undulates very slightly with the grains. It's very very smooth, just not very very flat. I would say the finish is 10 WET coats thick. I did wait about 7 dys after last Coat to wet sand. Took roughly 3-4 hours on the neck.

Plan on buffing with a commercial buffer after 3-4 weeks of cure time.
Wondering if I should hit it another lick with 600 on a hard block (wood), or call it good? No sure if further sanding will have a positive effect on flatness. This is my first guitar so I don't know what is standard or reasonable.

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Measure Twice,

Karl Borum

7 days is not long enough to let 10 coats outgas. You should wait at least 3 weeks before starting your leveling. Always sand up the the highest grit you can (2000p is what I do) before moving to the buffer.
A buffer won’t get rid of your 600 grit scratches.

So my suggestion is to wait the 3 weeks then go back to see if you can level it. My guess is you’ve already removed too much material and will need to recoat


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I agree with Rod.

Finish drying time is far from an exact science. There are many variables in how long it will take to dry properly. That's why I like to error on the long side. With Cardinal Luthierlac, under good drying conditions, I wait three weeks, or longer if possible, before doing a sand out and buff.

But.... How flat should the neck be? At this point in your build I would wait a couple more weeks, and then try to smooth out the ripples with 800 paper, or better yet with Super Assilex Lemon K-800, then Orange K-1200 and Peach K-1500. I would not try to completly remove the valleys at this point. They may be caused by the prep work and/or pore fill. To try to completly level with the finish will only give you sand thru.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Can't thank you enough for the advise. Waiting has proved to be one of the harder parts of finishing. Determining the best method of work is another.

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Measure Twice,

Karl Borum

You sanded way too soon and will need to repeat that operation to get a decent buff. The level and buff are one operation and should be done as such at the same time. I agree that you will likely sand through this now and would personally spray another few coats and wait the proper time.... At least 4 weeks.

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Brian

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