Thanks John.
Did you use the pad for both the compound and the swirl remover? I may pick up a couple to have one for each product. Im so timid I may not even try. Ill see how it all looks outside in the sun. You know how florescent lights you can see every little scratch.

I used the same pad, but washed it out extremely well between compounds. As long as you use the 2500 grit wet or dry sandpaper (damp enough to keep it clean, but not so damp as to wet the wood), then use the McGuires it should come out scratch free. I only used the Polishing Compound due to a few deeper scratches I hadn't noticed during my final sanding.

I couldn't leave well enough alone and sprayed another coat on the glove box only to get a few fish eyes again. I even wiped down with some mineral spirits and tac cloth. Oh well, sand, spray, sand , spray...

Are you using mineral spirits in between coats of lacquer? If so, that might be the problem. With lacquer you only need to sand, wipe clean and respray. Normally mineral spirits are only used to eliminate grease, oils and wax prior to painting. With lacquer, I normally just sand, wipe with a damp rag, let dry, tack and respray.

To be honest I think it may have been either my tack rag or me blowing the dust off before I started to spray At any case you guilted me enough to lay out another $120.00 bucks for polishing compound, cutting compound, 3" pad and some foam disc, shame on you. I sanded down ONCE AGAIN and then tonight I used 1500, 2000, 2500 then compound using my nextec drill and foam pad set up. Followed by the polish with a softer pad and then a coat of synthetic wax. Its pretty nice now but I should learn not to look at it under the kitchen lights, shows everything. In the living room light it looks much better Ill get some pics of it if we have some sun tomorrow.

Also I didn't like the cd case clock glass I made an came across a harbor freight air gauge cover that I had torn apart to try and fix. It was a bit convex to better read the gage. It was a bit larger then the clock so it took her to the grinder. Some patience and got it to fit. I think it looks great. Im getting older and was thinking this would be a nice upgrade for doing the rest of the gages.

You can see the fan reflection pretty good now in the finish. However its so nice now I can see some deeper sand marks from all the other coats I applied. I doubt they will be able to notice outside in the sunlight....to glaring

Wow! That looks great, Brian! Can I send you my dash pieces to refinish!? Just kidding, but this is a job I was thinking about getting to this summer; I'll have to bookmark this thread for inspriration and guidance!

Brian

compressed air will usually impart a little moisture in micro droplets so that may be what was going on.

It really does look fantastic! I like the clock lens too.

$120.00 bucks? I'm curious:

$8.49 foam pad
$11.49 scratch and swirl remover
$4.29 polishing compound
$5.59 sand paper

Well it was more like $36.00 for each big bottle of cutting compound and finishing compound. The 3M stuff was even more. 15.00 dollars for each twin pack of 3M 3" foam pads / cut/buff. $2.00 for an adapter to work in drill to connect Velcro style pad base wich was about $14.00. I work on a lot of cars anyways and wanted the good stuff. I have a large buffer but couldn't see spending the extra money for the smaller angle unit when my drill will work fine. My issue is trying to figure out how fast my drill is going. buffing at 1400 rpms is difficult without my tach attachment on the drill.

Crappie shot but you can see my work trucks reflection in the glove box. Also pulled out the old rotted insulation and installing some STP sound material, its made in Russia . Its to barren there still and im adding some juste on top of it for some extra sound deadening.

Last I dint like leaves on my carpet when I crank open the lower vents so we will fix that! Mock up clamp so I can get a bigger one.

Oh that's not last I pulled the trigger on a new soft dash for AR to install this weekend. I never thought I would do it but you only live once. Now to sell some stuff Im not using. Anyone need some 15" wheels? Like new saddle bags for you 1300 V-Star or back rest setup? Bueller?

On a side note I found my OLD can of Val Spar Marine varnish. I had already put a couple of coats of spray urethane on a wood shift knob and decided to dip the whole thing in the varnish. Came out perfect and NO SANDING. Next dash I do Im going to get that Marine varnish again! Water base paint on and Spraying 6 cans of Urethane is a nightmare!

That will look absolutely amazing once installed in your car. I am positive that you will be happy with the result. It looks great to me!!!

very very nice wood work

SLOSpider wrote:Next dash I do I'm going to get that Marine varnish again! Water base paint on and Spraying 6 cans of Urethane is a nightmare!

Great looking result! Next dash I do I'm going to take the cut and stained wood to my local auto body shop, and have him shoot the pieces with automotive clear. They do clear every day, and know how to work it.

thats what i use on my dash wood too, is automotive clear.

Stuff works great on wood; even veneer. I finished my new loudspeakers with it: