High gloss thunderbird finish

[T Folts]

I am making a bow for a friends wife and he wants to know if I can put on a high gloss finish. I told him I would try. I have watched videos on YT on guitar finishes and I think I can make it work. I have filled all the grain and am ready. I plan on putting down several coats of clear to get a good build and may do some light sanding between if I think I need to. After I get my coats I plan on using 600 grit wet sanding and go up to 1500 to 2000. Then I have a real good buffing compound that I will use after wet sanding and buff by hand. Any advice as I get started.
Thanks Terry

[BigJim]

More coats the better. I typically lay down no less than 8 coats and usually 10 coats before I start my fine sanding...I also use the epoxy to fill grain, so if yours is that far, you may be able to skip a few coats.

I just hate the thought of sanding through the finish and having to start all over.

I also wouldn't go below 800g unless you have to.

I start at 1000 unless I have to fix some spots and then 1200, 1500 and then 2000...all of these wet.
Then I machine buff starting with a polishing compound and progressing threw two finer polishing compounds followed by hand buffing as necessary.

Have fun, bigjim

[T Folts]

Jim do you use that many coats on the glass?

[cunruhshoot]

I am in the midst of my first run using T-bird finish. I was pretty careful with my first spaying and had a couple places that developed a slight run. Did I spray too heavy or did I thin it too much? And I am hoping that I can sand it smooth before adding a second coat.

Any insight for me...please

[BigJim]

Yes t folts, I spray that many on the glass. epoxy is real flexible and won't crack even with excessive coats.

cunruhshoot, you put on too much. Even if you thin too much, it can still be shot without runs. Ultimately runs means too much.

ez to sand, just give it 12 plus hours to dry.

bigjim

[cunruhshoot]

Awesome - thanks BigJim - I am really liking the tbird finish wow - really makes the bow pop!

[T Folts]

Thanks Big Jim

[cunruhshoot]

One more thing...I seem to be getting a lot of orange peel  - I am using a Preval sprayer right now. What I have read is that I may not have the product thinned enough and that I am spraying too far away I need to be within 6 inches.

Is this correct in your opinion? And can I make those corrections and spray another coat to fix or do I need to sand smooth first?

thanks,

[T Folts]

I thin 25% as the directions. I set my gun to 40psi. I also set my thruput by closing the gun then open it until it comes out heavy then close it up some. I spray about six inches away continuing to move the gun. Also spray above 65F.

[cunruhshoot]

Well I may have to upgrade from my Preval sprayer to a real spray gun...

[T Folts]

I started out with a cheap gun from Harbor freight.
I now have a little better I got at Tractor Supply.
Its a Ingersol 200G, I think I paid 75$.
Works great and not to expensive.

[BigJim]

if you cheap out on a sprayer, you will struggle...heck I struggle and i have an expensive sprayer...but it makes it easier.

Orange peel is from too thick. I wouldn't try to get too close with the spray gun as it can be difficult to keep from flooding the bow with finish causing runs.
You will have to sand to get rid of the orange peel.
BigJim

[cunruhshoot]

That is what I figured regarding the sprayer. Looks like I have some sanding to do today. And some shopping...

Thanks

[BigJim]

Take a good look at the devilbiss finish line gun. I have my guns set up with the devilbiss dee kup system.
There is a disposable liner that can be removed and stored in refrigerator for up to a few...maybe 6 days. The gun then cleans in seconds.

bigjim

[cunruhshoot]

I will check it out Thanks - bigjim

[cunruhshoot]

Bigjim  - I sent you a PM with  a question regarding a sprayer.