Finishing

[Cookie man]

Hi everyone!

I have yet another question to ask. I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but I would like to ask if anyone knows how to do a satin finish instead of gloss. Kind of like on Matons, for example.

Cheers Oh and I'm 18 today!! just thought you'd like to know..

[woodrat]

Hi Cookie, A satin finish is much quicker and easier to do than a full polish gloss finish. That is what I used on my Journeyman Model that I recently posted to the Gallery. For sure it is the Maton/Cole Clark look but that is what I wanted for my entry level model that I have developed for the reasons mentioned in the first sentence. It is an excellent way to go for a first build as it does not have the complexities of the high gloss finishing schedule.

Cheers


John

[Bob Connor]

Maton use Mirotone 3220/30 for their satin finish, or at least they used to.

[kiwigeo]

Cheers Oh and I'm 18 today!! just thought you'd like to know..

Happy birthday mate. Cant offer you the full 21 bum salute as that's reserved for Kim and other members of the ANZLF Royal Family but here's 10 bums for being a worthy rank and file member of the forum.

[Gizmo]

Happy Birthday Cookie.

how to do a satin finish instead of gloss

All you need is satin lacquer. A gloss lacquer is a clear resin in solvent. Spray it on and the solvent evaporates, leaving the resin. Manufacturers reduce gloss by adding goop called flatting base, the flatting base particles prevent the formation of a smooth surface at the microscopic level. If you open a can of satin finish that hasn't been moved recently, you will see the milky flatting base at the bottom of the clear gloss lacquer. This must be stirred to distribute the flatting base evenly.

Maton use Mirotone 3220/30 for their satin finish, or at least they used to.

I'd bet money the /30 stands for 30% gloss. Manufacturers usually offer lacquers in varying gloss levels.
Keep in mind that once you have a satin finish it can usually be shined up by rubbing back or polishing, which may or may not be the effect you want.

[Kamusur]

Thats interesting Giz

Steve

[Allen]

You can get a satin look also by using the gloss product and then using 0000 steel wool over it. Not quite the same look, but if you've got the gloss and don't want to fork out the extra $$$ for another can of product, then that is the way to go.

You should know as well that a satin finish....the one that has the flattening compound (usually talc) added is no where near as hard as the full gloss equivalent. And while it is possible to shine up the satin gloss one a little by buffing it. It's impossible to get the same look as the full gloss version. The flattening compound clouds the finish. The amount of cloudiness varies with the amount of build you have.

[rocket]

I don't like gloss finishes on guitars
Rod.

[Cookie man]

I don't like gloss finishes on guitars

Neither do I That's why I asked..

Thankyou everybody for helping me!

[woodrat]

I like them....I just dont like doing them.

Actually I dont mind gloss tops wilh satin back and sides a la Martin D16GT ...I have done one like that and I thought that it looked good too.

John

[luke_lee]

I have achieved a nice satin finish with a gloss product. I do a few coats with light sanding between. When there is enough finish on it I sand it fairly flat with 400-600 sandpaper and spray a finishing coat. The trick is to set the volume control on the spray gun to almost none (just a tiny mist) and the air pressure high, this leaves a even satin finish and covers the sandpaper scratches.

Luke

[Kamusur]

Great tips everyone ty for sharin.
And Allen talk about common sense I reckon it sure is easier to dull a shiny surface than polish a dull one to shine.

Steve