What grit Wet & Dry to finish a bass?

[Jono Bolton]

I'm in the process of drop-filling the finish on my Peavey Foundation bass, there are that many chips that I have a feeling that it's going to look a little patchy. So far I've been scraping back the glue to just above the surface of the finish, then strip sanding from 400 through to 800, then block sanding up to 2500 and buffing out with car scratch remover (like T-Cut).

It's not perfect as it stands, so I've been thinking about going up to a higher grit paper but going over the whole body to try and blend it all in. I can get a pack with a sheet each of 3000, 5000, and 7000 wet & dry, but is this going to be fine enough to get me a decent finish? The finish isn't that thick (not as thick as my MIM P Bass), so I don't want to do too much sanding in case I end up going through to the wood.

Any suggestions/advice/criticism would be appreciated.

Ta.

[scojack]

You can go up to 12000 grade, then on to a burnishing cream although TCUT might be a bit rough (not really sure).
Check out micromesh for the fine grit.
Rothko And Frost (ebay) do a range of burnishing creams too.

Edited October 27, 2014 by scojack

[Phil Starr]

I went straight from 1000 to a burnishing cream with excellent results, but I glued the wet and dry to some flat board I cut to about 3x4cm before each sanding. Without this it's hard not to create a rim round each repair which shows the join. If the finish is otherwise good only use the burnishing cream to match in the rest of the finish which may have discoloured thus showing up the repairs.

[Andyjr1515]

Micromesh is the way to go. When I get a moment, I'll add a link.

[Jono Bolton]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've had a look at micromesh online, would I be best to sand up to 2500 with the wet & dry I already have, then go to the micromesh? Should I still use burnishing cream after the micromesh? I've used burnishing cream before but that was in school many moons ago, although my tech teacher was very impressed with my finish!

[Andyjr1515]

I think it was [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-Mesh-Micromesh-Cushioned-Abrasive-Polishing-Kit-9-Sheets-6-X-4/141378195269?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26meid%3D22f4b9be51ae404ca00c9cea94628fd5%26pid%3D100204%26prg%3D20140407115239%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D131249123251"]this stuff I got[/url]

[deepbass5]

Halfords and other Car and DIY shops do spong style abrasive pads but very fine i have used these on wood basses prior to re-oiling and waxing , can even take out finger shine etc

[Jono Bolton]

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1414449494' post='2589493']
I think it was [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-Mesh-Micromesh-Cushioned-Abrasive-Polishing-Kit-9-Sheets-6-X-4/141378195269?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26meid%3D22f4b9be51ae404ca00c9cea94628fd5%26pid%3D100204%26prg%3D20140407115239%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D131249123251"]this stuff I got[/url]
[/quote]

That's the stuff I was looking at. Same price as the wet & dry I had looked at previously, I think I'll go for the micromesh and take it from there.