Polishing and satin sheen

[ElleBrooke]

Previously for a glossy sheen, I have applied multiple layers of minwax wipe-on water-based poly, then wet sanded. I finally polished with Meguires mirror glaze ultra cut compound #105 x three times, followed by Meguires mirror glaze ultra finishing polish #205 for three coats. I get a really nice shine with this method for a glossy finish.

If I am finishing with a satin sheen (say on a neck), I have read you should do multiple layers of gloss poly, and end with the last 2 layers of satin poly.

My question is, do you still wet sand and polish after this, or does that defeat the purpose? Should I wetsand the gloss, then apply the satin poly and leave it?

I know you can just sand gloss back to a satin finish, but I'm nervous about sanding through, or not getting an even texture all over. I'm probably over thinking this, but would love advice on satin finishing. TIA!

[fender3x]

There is no accounting for taste and YMMV, but I really prefer satin on necks, at least on the back of the neck. I wet sand the fingerboard (on maple necks) and the headstock, and then polish with Meguires. I don't polish the back of the neck. I sand it flat with 320 to 400, and then rub it well with a Scotch Brite maroon or gray pad. No wet sanding, which, as you say, would defeat the purpose. You can get a very good gloss from a satin finish if you polish, and this is great on headstocks. But the back of the neck feels faster if you don't.

Some people use the method that you mention, where you use gloss until the final coats then use satin on top. I think the reason is that the glossier the finish the better it tends to level. The flatter the finish the less it tends to level. So, the thinking goes, for a level satin finsh, start with gloss and end with satin. I have done that once, and it worked reasonably well. With the rest of my necks I have just used satin. I don't notice much difference in the way it sands out, and there is no risk that you'll sand all the way through the satin layer.

You can sand gloss back to satin, that's true. I have a bass with a gloss neck, and I keep a 3x5 piece of gray Scotch Brite pad with it so that I can periodically scuff the neck. Such a small amount of finish comes off that you don't need to worry about sanding through, and it definitely improves the feel...temporarily. After a little playing it tends to gloss back up, and you need to repeat the process.

[ElleBrooke]

Thanks fender3x! This is super helpful information.

[fender3x]

I am refinishing a set-neck bass at the moment. I used satin on the back of the neck and semi-gloss everywhere else. the two overlap just a little at the heel and the back of the headstock. First time I have done it this way. I have mixed and matched with bodies and necks, but this is the first time I have mixed on the same piece. I have to let it cure for another three weeks or so, but will post as to how it turns out. May be too late for your blazingly fast build, but best I can do ;-)

[McCreed]

IMO and experience, satin poly levels out just fine and is actually much more forgiving than gloss. However I'm talking about spraying it with a gun, not wiping on. I've been using satin poly exclusively on my necks for about 4 years now. And I have even stripped and re-sprayed some of my gloss poly and lacquer necks because I like it so much better.

I personally don't see any benefit to laying down gloss just to go over it with satin later. Satin builds the same as gloss IME and I generally don't need to do any sanding with satin unless there is a significant blemish (or a bloody insect lands in it while still wet! - happened more than once!). If I need to sand, I will follow it with a fresh coat and hope I don't have another blemish. (it's easy to spot spray, so not necessarily a full re-coat)

Polishing satin or "satin-ising" gloss do not really achieve the same result as their individual intended appearances.
In very basic terms, satin poly gives its appearance because it has a higher amount of solids in which light is refracted, where a with a gloss, it is reflected.

Because of this, a polished satin will be "shinier" but still not really look the same as a true gloss, and a de-glossed gloss (huh???) will have a satin appearance (and feel) but will still not look the same as a true satin.

[ElleBrooke]

fender3x: yes! Let us know how it turns out. I'm soon to hit the cure stage as well. I am impatient, so we'll see how that works for me. I plan to work on the neck and headstock while the body rests though.

McCreed: thank you for all the information! It makes total sense about the deglossing and polishing. I have read (so anecdotal here) that if you use too many layers of satin poly, the substance that makes it less shiny builds up, and it makes your finish cloudy. Which is why it was advised to only do the last 2 layers in satin. I haven't experienced it personally, but that was the reasoning. But if I don't have to sand it all down at the end, I probably won't need as many layers, so it might be moot.

[LexLuthier]

FenderX knows everything lol. This person legitimately rules.

[ElleBrooke]

Well, the three of you, plus colin, have answered all of my questions so well. I'm impressed with the knowledge you guys have, and your willingness to share it!

[McCreed]

fender3x: yes! Let us know how it turns out. I'm soon to hit the cure stage as well. I am impatient, so we'll see how that works for me. I plan to work on the neck and headstock while the body rests though.

McCreed: thank you for all the information! It makes total sense about the deglossing and polishing. I have read (so anecdotal here) that if you use too many layers of satin poly, the substance that makes it less shiny builds up, and it makes your finish cloudy. Which is why it was advised to only do the last 2 layers in satin. I haven't experienced it personally, but that was the reasoning. But if I don't have to sand it all down at the end, I probably won't need as many layers, so it might be moot.

The two necks below are done with all satin poly. They both would have 9-12 sprayed coats which amount to many many many wipe-on coats. I don't think they look cloudy at all. They just look satin to me.

Tip: If you right-click and open in new tab, they will open nearly full size.

Maple neck on strat:


In it's full glory: (sorry just had to...)


Mahogany LP neck stained, then satin poly:

[Rabbit]

I personally don't see any benefit to laying down gloss just to go over it with satin later.

There *is* a logical reasoning behind satin over gloss. In general it's not necessary, but it comes down to a lack of suspended solids which give the satin finish it's satinness (yeh, probably not a real word.. what can I say, I'm literary pioneer ) The first coat of a gloss finish has better adhesion to the substrate.

In terms of giving a flat finish, sanding the under layers of satin would give just as smooth a surface as sanding a gloss finish.