Semi-Gloss finish

RVA

RVA

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As you all probably know, Semi-Gloss finish is between Satin and Gloss, maybe a bit closer to satin.

So, I bought Semi-Gloss instead of Gloss lacquer by accident for the all walnut guitar. This is not a problem since it can be used as a base coat and then finished in Gloss, so I sprayed it. The result confirmed what I had read, which is that the absence of glare from the high gloss finish helps to show off the wood. Although I am not a big fan of satin finishes, I am considering leaving the semi-gloss as a final coat, with a nice final buff to shine it up somewhat

Although I hear of Satin finishes for guitar, I never hear the term Semi-Gloss. Maybe this is just marketing and both finishes are used. In any event, does anyone have any experience with or opinions on a Semi-Gloss guitar finish?
 
RVA said:
I meant semi-gloss would not have the glare that the high gloss would have.
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Yeah... Kinda one of the reasons I like oil finishes, because a wooden guitar looks and feels... uhm... more wooden!

That being said, if you want to see one of the best examples of highly visible wood grain with super high gloss finishes, then look no further than USA-made G&L's. It's like they have a layer of thick glass that wraps around the body and neck of their guitars. Yet they resonate as good as anything else out there. I would love to see G&L's process if given the opportunity.
 
RVA said:
does anyone have any experience with or opinions on a Semi-Gloss guitar finish?
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Not Semi-Gloss but Matt (designed for zero reflection). My wife wanted natural Matt on her (my first build) Pit Bull ES-12
I worked it up wet sanding between coats and then into auto cut then finer polishes. It actually finished with a nice shine and she hated the gloss I got onto it :-(
Then I had to final finish it DOWN with wet and dry to remove the shine.
Happy wife happy life.
My point being I think it's up to you to polish it and stop when it's done in your eyes.
 
^ I'm not fond of the Gibson satin finish, especially on black guitars, as lumps of the finish drop off very soon. Where the strap rubs, for example, turns the wood bare in 3 months - I sold my Gibson SG future tribute for that reason.

I much prefer a nitro finish to poly, and depending how close (or not) that satin-gloss is to a thin nitro, you might get the best of all worlds. Actually, I think the oiled/satin finish on say the SG faded or the back of the LP future tribute goldtop is excellent, superb, lovely - and, I reckon on your wood, an oiled and or thin nitro would be perfect.

There's also the SG specials from say 2011 to now that have various levels of nitro thickness and are just a bit more than the satin, but that gloss/nitro does give the wood the resistance to wear and tear that I like - it's nice for a guitar to age, but not age 30 years in 3 months like it does with the satin finishes - for me, it's oiled or nitro (or oiled and thin nitro, if that's even possible...).
 
Gahr said:
Regarding satin finishes: I recently read somewhere (I forget where) about someone who has polished a satin guitar with Meguiar's Scratch remover to great effect. Does anyone have any comments on this?
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Post #8 above. Partial quote,
"Not Semi-Gloss but Matt (designed for zero reflection) ....... I worked it up wet sanding between coats and then into auto cut then finer polishes. It actually finished with a nice shine .....". And yes the later products involved were Meguires.
 
Gahr said:
Regarding satin finishes: I recently read somewhere (I forget where) about someone who has polished a satin guitar with Meguiar's Scratch remover to great effect. Does anyone have any comments on this?
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I have the whole Meguiar's line, heavy cut, fine cut, swirl remover, show car glaze. I got the info from Tom Anderson himself (he regulalrly posts to his own forum), and it is what they use in the shop. I have used them with great success
 
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gasket said:
Not Semi-Gloss but Matt (designed for zero reflection). My wife wanted natural Matt on her (my first build) Pit Bull ES-12
I worked it up wet sanding between coats and then into auto cut then finer polishes. It actually finished with a nice shine and she hated the gloss I got onto it :-(
Then I had to final finish it DOWN with wet and dry to remove the shine.
Happy wife happy life.
My point being I think it's up to you to polish it and stop when it's done in your eyes.
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Correct gasket
 
Mr Grumpy said:
^ I'm not fond of the Gibson satin finish, especially on black guitars, as lumps of the finish drop off very soon. Where the strap rubs, for example, turns the wood bare in 3 months - I sold my Gibson SG future tribute for that reason.

I much prefer a nitro finish to poly, and depending how close (or not) that satin-gloss is to a thin nitro, you might get the best of all worlds. Actually, I think the oiled/satin finish on say the SG faded or the back of the LP future tribute goldtop is excellent, superb, lovely - and, I reckon on your wood, an oiled and or thin nitro would be perfect.

There's also the SG specials from say 2011 to now that have various levels of nitro thickness and are just a bit more than the satin, but that gloss/nitro does give the wood the resistance to wear and tear that I like - it's nice for a guitar to age, but not age 30 years in 3 months like it does with the satin finishes - for me, it's oiled or nitro (or oiled and thin nitro, if that's even possible...).
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My 2016 Gibson Les Paul Studio was black nitro. Very delicate finish.

Now polyurethane is just my game. A catalyzed two-part clear was used on the Double Neck. It looks dripping wet and its tough to scratch.

IMG_20180429_46684.jpg

I like how black pianos look...that was my benchmark.

Now, interestingly enough, I also love the plain wood look of my Gibson SG.

IMG_20180430_18871.jpg

As far as the Satin finish on my 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute goes, I guess we will have to wait and see...
 
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ninjaking Nice , you have a nice Wardrobe there a new Session or Progression would look nice in your lineup.;)
 
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