Polishing Nitro Cellulose Lacquer?

[bellyup]

Hi Guys,
Odd question for you - I have bought a guitar body finished in a flat /satin NCL. I now think I would like a gloss or semi-gloss finish. Is it possible to "polish" satin NCL to a higher gloss level or do I have to re-apply with a gloss?
Many thanks,
Bruce

[doggadog]

I have been looking at this just today. On Youtube there is plenty of info and demos on doing this. The conclusion I have come to is that you have to get into the 2000 grit paper first, then polish. I have made a solid body guitar out of Camphor Laurel and spray can lacquered it. Now I want to get it just right and it`s not that easy. A friend at my local Mens Shed suggested that I leave it a week to set hard then use the finest steel wool with linseed oil and another oil (which I have forgotten) and rub it down to finish with a nice satin semi gloss. I think I`ll do this. I hope someone else out there knows more.

[Master Splinter]

From what I recall, the de-glossing agent in paints and varnishes is ultrafine silica and it works by having an ever-so-slightly different index of refraction than the actual varnish, so you'll never be able to get 'piano-gloss' levels of shine from it.

I'd try some coats of gloss on top, then give that a rub with 1000-2000 grit and then auto paint buffer or U-Beaut's EEE-Ultra Shine (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/eee.htm).

[bellyup]

Thanks guys,
Hmmm - don't know what to do. I might have a practice on the back where things will be less evident. Thanks again.
Bruce.

[gyropilot]

If it were me, I'd scuff the satin with 400 and then recoat with the gloss you want, being careful not to chill the final coat.

Cheers

Geoff