hi guys,

Well, I had a lucky escape yesterday. I leveled the clear coats completely with 800 grit (wet) and sprayed another coat of clear. Everything was looking beautiful, but then rather large bubbles appeared in the clear at several points on the front of the guitar. Of course these were NOT where the scratchplate goes, they were in the most prominent place possible. I think what happened was I put the body in front of the IR lamp too early (and too close) - before the clear had sufficient time for it's initial gas-off.

I waited for the clear to harden up sufficiently for sanding and sanded back with 800 grit again. Where each buble had been there was now a reasonably deep pock mark in the finish. I sprayed some acrylic into the lid of the can and used a tooth pick to place a glob of lacquer into each hole. After a day drying, I got the 800 out again and wet sanded the globs (now small clear mounds) flat. Presto - the surface was back to clear and flat. You can't see where the holes were - *phew* what a relief.

The moral of the story is not to get too hasty with the IR lamp. Give the finish it's time and don't rush things. Of course I knew this already, but now and again we forget even the most basic lessons!! Well, I do at least...

cheers,
Gav.