Birds Eye Maple

The guitar is a Hollowbody archtop which is more than 60 years. I reclaimed before but I've never used a stain or polyeurithane. I need to know how to get the surface to feel good, because it is fantastic, and I have enough coats down so it is finished.

A good polish job requires about 3 layers. Coat lightly sand with sandpaper up to 240-grain smooth, recoverable, lightly sand with sandpaper up to 240-grain smooth, then a final layer. Make sure the room is free of dust and you remove all sanding dust before applying polyurethane.

You can lighten the polyurethane with the appropriate thinner (read the label on polyurethane) and Quicken drying time and reduce chances of dust and debris to stick to the finish line before it dry. Unfortunately, it is thinner and does just that - thins! Thus, you may need additional layers in succession.

If a finish is in the right direction, you should not have to use wax, rubbing compound, or superfine steel wool to bring out the brilliance. These products are cheats for people who did not at first.

Get the book "Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner.

Remember, everything you do to change the stiffness, density or thickness on the body of your guitar will affect the sound it produces.
.

Do you shake your polyurethane? If you shook up the mix and you have filled with air bubbles and they must be sanded. clear coatings should be moved only to eliminate air pockets to ensure a smooth coating.

If it sounds good, and your satisfied, you can now put a layer of wax on it. Typically, they use a pure wax really good, and linseed oil and, to achieve a mirror like finish. But unless you're an expert, I would not try it on your guitar for the first time. Instead, you can buy a paste wax Johnson. It comes in a dish containing ring, and probably the last for the rest of your life, but it's good for all sorts of things. You can put your tools to keep in good condition, on saw blades, leather boots on your own. This is what I use to finish wood furniture that I do. I bet that guitar is beautiful! Byee

Did you sand lightly between coats of 220 grit sandpaper? Then the last layer should be lightly sanded with steel wool in 0000, also if you clear poly down with mineral spirits it will make a smooth layer of poly and a good brush.

All the above.
sand between the layers and the finer the better.
I would take 400 or 600 grit if you have patience.
When done correctly, it seems it is still wet.
Be sure to sand evenly with the grain.

I even sanded as fine as 3 microns grain when making woodworking on yachts.

The Forbes have been happy with it!

Adding more layers of finish on a guitar deaden the sound of the instrument. If you already have polyurethane on it all the polish with 0000 steel wool, then polish with a very fine polishing compound made for the paint and plastic finishes, then a thin layer of wax on the guitar. I usually just use the 0000 steel wool to the back of the neck to keep my hand on a grinding finish shined.

None of these answers. Sand the hell out of him to do so gently, then talk to a fine carpenter cabinetmaker's finish. If you put the poly pique the different densities of wood will absorb different poly finish causing strange when birdseyes are a different level than regular wood grain. Guitarwood is different (thinner) than wood furniture and absorbs differently. Check a luthier and see what they use.

Sand with 400 grains of wet paper and spray the final coat with a clear finish.Sand with 600 wet paper and wax used for Brin.