Secrets to High Gloss Finish ?

F

Fish

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
okay whats the secret to a high gloss Mirror like finish

1. Is it the number of coats which corresponds to the thickness of the finish ?

2. Type of finish used ? hardness ?

3. Or any finish as long as its flat and no microscopic scratches would produce a high gloss finish ?

I reckon all would be a factor but which would be most important ?

lets say if you campare PPG or Dupont with an off the shelf Spray can Acrylic Clear Finish and spray 2 cues, the thickness of the finish is the same, both would have no microscopic scratches, would the 2 cues have the same High Gloss quality ?

Keep in mind that I am only asking for results for Gloss quality, durability is not considered, since we all know that the 2 dollar spray can finish is much durable and will last decades :D
 
Admittedly, you know that this cue finishing is one of the cuemakers' secrets. But even though this stage is considered a secret process a few have still devulged brands and their processes. My advice is to learn how to apply your finish (brand) correctly as the glossiest end result is the one that doesn't require leveling with abrasives.

Join an association, they'll show you how to do it.
 
Secret process ?, would'nt the manufacturer of these products provide customers instructions on the BEST way to apply these finish ?

Using the same brand of finish, Would a thicker layer be better ?
 
Fish said:
Secret process ?, would'nt the manufacturer of these products provide customers instructions on the BEST way to apply these finish ?

Using the same brand of finish, Would a thicker layer be better ?
Click to expand...

All of the auto finishes will instruct you on the best way to finish a CAR, but you're not spraying a CAR. The instructions will tell you how much paint & how much hardener to mix together, but they can't tell you HOW to spray something like wood, that has deep grain, cars don't. The modern auto finishes have to be sprayed in layers, that build up to a thickness that can be sanded & polished to a high shine. Sanding is no more than scratching the surface, with decreasing sanding grit, until the scratches are too small to be seen. I tryed finishes from a spray can 20 years ago. I never could get the THICKNESS required to fill in the deep grain cavities, of the woods...JER
 
best finish

i'm with jer, blackheart, on this. spraying a car is much different than a round piece of wood.
i start with 6 thick coats of chromaclear, then the last few coats i double the amount of reducer than is required. lower my gun pressure from 40 to 20lbs. these last few coats, flowcoats, i have heard them called, go on as smooth as glass and require minimal sanding
 
stix4sale said:
i'm with jer, blackheart, on this. spraying a car is much different than a round piece of wood.
i start with 6 thick coats of chromaclear, then the last few coats i double the amount of reducer than is required. lower my gun pressure from 40 to 20lbs. these last few coats, flowcoats, i have heard them called, go on as smooth as glass and require minimal sanding
Click to expand...


I spray all my coats at 35 lbs, with a touch up gun...JER
 
I have found the secret for me is the buffing. I use the same PPG clearcoat, but have refined the buffing process after sanding to 2500. The newer cues are much brighter and shiny than previous ones.
Chris
 
What buffing wax do you use ?

Have tried 3M Perfect it and Polglaze Cut and Polish
Poly Glaze seems to work better for me
 
Fish said:
What buffing wax do you use ?

Have tried 3M Perfect it and Polglaze Cut and Polish
Poly Glaze seems to work better for me
Click to expand...
I use Meguiars #1, then #5, then finish with #9...JER
 
I start with extra cut, although I am going to switch to perfectit, and finish with the machine glaze. Don't rush either one, spend a little extra time with the buffing and it will pay off.
Chris
 
Fish said:
okay whats the secret to a high gloss Mirror like finish

1. Is it the number of coats which corresponds to the thickness of the finish ?

2. Type of finish used ? hardness ?

3. Or any finish as long as its flat and no microscopic scratches would produce a high gloss finish ?

I reckon all would be a factor but which would be most important ?

lets say if you campare PPG or Dupont with an off the shelf Spray can Acrylic Clear Finish and spray 2 cues, the thickness of the finish is the same, both would have no microscopic scratches, would the 2 cues have the same High Gloss quality ?

Keep in mind that I am only asking for results for Gloss quality, durability is not considered, since we all know that the 2 dollar spray can finish is much durable and will last decades :D
Click to expand...
There is no right or wrong finsh, sand paper and buffing compound to use. You have to try different ones until you find what works for you and it may not work for the next guy. I have heard of six to eight different finishes but I like to use one that I buy locally so if I have problems they can help me with them, plus I like their products. There are no secrets, just do like McWorter told me, and tie a string around you neck and the other end around you bollas and keep you head down.
 
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