Bobk42 Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 https://imgur.com/LF3qVFx https://imgur.com/Ki2s4FY https://imgur.com/TmzhnWO Okay, here's my second attempt at this. I'm not sure how to post pictures but if you follow the links above hopefully you'll see them. I've had an EF-500RCCE for a few years but I didn't really care for the satin finish on it, although I've grown accustomed to it. I would rather have bought a gloss finish but it's not offered. I wanted to try polishing the finish to see if I could get a glossy look to it. After researching numerous internet posts and YouTube video's I decided to give it a try. People have mentioned having good results using Meguires Scratch Remover. One video on YouTube showed a guy using Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound. Personally I would advise against the rubbing compound as I think is too aggressive of a compound. I used "Griots Garage Machine Polish #3 & #4, followed by Virtuoso Instrument Polish. (They're shown in one of the photos) Even though it's called "Machine Polish" is can be used by hand, It's actually car polish that can be applied by a detail buffer. I used this over the Mequires because I happened to already have it. I used it for polishing fine scratches and swirl marks out of a brand new car so I was sure it was gentle enough for my guitar. I finished with the Virtuoso Polish because that's the brand I use on all my instruments, but any other brand would work too. So far I've only done the back of the guitar and I may stop there. The back of the neck had already become glossy from playing it so that's why I decided to do the back first. Because the neck, back, and pickguard are all glossy it adds a nice contrast to the rest of the guitar. Polishing the back really brought out the beautiful wood grain of the rosewood, which really looked dull and unattractive with the satin finish. I have to admit I was very hesitant to do this as I was afraid I might ruin the finish. If you're inclined to attempt this for yourself just take you're time, go slow, don't rush it. I used a microfiber cloth to apply the #3 and #4 polish and a very fine polishing cloth for the final polish. It only took about 2 1/2 hours to achieve the results. Make sure you want to do it before you start because there's no going back once you've committed to it. I had mixed feeling about it even as I was doing it but after it was finished I was happy with the results. No regrets. I may decide to do the sides and the top in the future but I don't want to rush into it just yet, I kind of like the way it looks now. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.------Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 333 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 Looks like you did a very good job so far, and got excellent results. Red 333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobk42 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share Posted March 19, 2019 If I could delete my original post above I would. After polishing the back of the guitar to get the gloss finish, the more I looked at it the more I disliked it. Because of the flattening agents used in the original matte finish it had an orange peel effect which can be seen it the photos. In the end I sanded down the back of the guitar and applied 6 very thin coats of a "wipe on" type high gloss polyurethane then polished it further with a random orbital detailer. In the end I did achieve the look I was after but it was a lot of work. Although it was a good learning experience, and I didn't ruin the guitar, I don't encourage anyone to try it. Knowing what I know now I would have left it alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 ...Because of the flattening agents used in the original matte finish it had an orange peel effect.... I'm not seeing that in the photos. It looked like you did a good job. But I'll take your word for it, and good to hear you've got it how you want it now. More pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobk42 Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 I'm not seeing that in the photos. It looked like you did a good job. But I'll take your word for it, and good to hear you've got it how you want it now. More pics? https://imgur.com/4HNxm4e https://imgur.com/X8BLRoQ https://imgur.com/aSUPFcO Here's the new photo's. Although it's in a different room and under different lighting conditions you should be able to tell the difference from the original photos, especially if you enlarge the images. I also decided to polish the sides while I was at it, but I'm definitely stopping there. Not going to touch the top at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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