Dulling a guitar that's been glossed

Kylef

Looking at a guitar that was satin to begin with but has been polished up with a polishing compound. Is there something that would take it back down to a satin feel? My first thought was steel wool but I wouldn't want to leave swirl marks.

Dominic

soft cloth and Meths

Sassafras

I'd use steel wool but you could always try a belt sander.

Philly_Q

I should wait for @WezV or someone to give the best advice, but I'd think 0000 steel wool is probably the way to go, making sure you don't get bits stuck in the pickups. 

Micromesh abrasive pads are also good and they come in loads of different grades, but maybe more suitable for little spot "repairs" than a whole guitar.

57Deluxe

get it sandblasted like they use on Wheeler Dealers and Shed and Buried...

scalino65

2500 grit or above wet sand?

JD50

Dominic said:

soft cloth and Meths

This... I found out by accident years ago when upon trying to clean sticker residue off a MIJ Jazzmaster I'd picked up off Loot, meths dulled the top coat really quick. I thought it actually looked better than the glossy poly.

Lebarque

I'm not an expert on this, but I guess it depends what the finish is - nitro/poly etc. In fact, I've got a nitro guitar that is very shiny, which I'd like to dull slightly. What's the best method? And while we're at it, how do you dull chrome, so it looks more like nickel?

Flanging_Fred

Scotchbrite pads.

Kylef

It's a poly guitar that's in question. Tempted to go with wet sand 1200 up to 2500 or if anyone can recommend not to do that?

Dominic

JD50 said:

Dominic said:

soft cloth and Meths

This... I found out by accident years ago when upon trying to clean sticker residue off a MIJ Jazzmaster I'd picked up off Loot, meths dulled the top coat really quick. I thought it actually looked better than the glossy poly.

Meths is what is used for stripping back Shellac/ French Polish

Gagaryn

Wet sand with micro mesh cloth or pads - i love the stuff - great for polishing frets too - i've loads of the stuff from 1500 to 12000 grit

WezV

Yeah, just wet sand with a high grit and stop when happy.  Micromesh really is the answer here.

it will polish back up in the high wear areas though.  Not much can be done about that

bbill335

I'd just use the scrubby side of a sponge