Refinishing Guitar Bodies: Wet Sanding for a Professional Gloss Finish

Whether you’re restoring a vintage guitar or finishing a new build, achieving that deep, mirror-like shine depends on one crucial skill: wet sanding. This process levels the clear coat and removes texture, dust nibs, or orange peel, allowing your guitar’s color and wood grain to shine through beautifully. Here’s how to sand a guitar body like a pro.

Why Wet Sand Guitars

Wet sanding eliminates surface imperfections left after clear coating—creating an ultra-smooth surface for polishing. Unlike dry sanding, wet sanding reduces heat and prevents fine scratches that can dull your final finish. It’s the bridge between spraying and buffing, turning a good paint job into a stunning one.

Tools & Materials

• Soft sanding block or flexible pad for curves
• Bucket or spray bottle with clean water and mild soap
• Microfiber cloths and polishing compound
• Optional: orbital polisher for final buffing
• Wet/dry silicon carbide sandpaper: 800 Grit (25-pack), 1500 Grit (50-pack), and 2000 Grit (100-pack).

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 800 grit: Levels the clear coat and removes orange peel or dust specks.
• 1500 grit: Refines texture and begins to reveal shine.
• 2000 grit: Prepares the finish for polishing to full mirror gloss.

Step-by-Step: Wet Sanding a Guitar Body

1. Let the clear coat cure. Allow at least 2 weeks for lacquer or polyurethane finishes to harden completely before sanding—this ensures the surface doesn’t gum up.
2. Start with 800 Grit (25-pack). Soak the paper in water for 10–15 minutes. Sand lightly in circular motions, keeping the surface wet at all times. Focus on high spots and orange peel texture.
3. Progress to 1500 Grit (50-pack). Continue sanding with light pressure. The surface should begin to dull evenly, showing a consistent matte sheen with no shiny low spots.
4. Finish with 2000 Grit (100-pack). Sand gently to eliminate fine haze. Rinse frequently and check under bright light—the finish should feel smooth and uniform.
5. Polish to perfection. Use a polishing compound and microfiber cloth (or a low-speed buffer). Buff in overlapping circles until a deep mirror gloss appears.

Special Cases

For satin or matte finishes, stop at 1500 grit to preserve the soft sheen. If you accidentally sand through to color or wood, reapply a clear coat before continuing. Always test your sanding technique on a hidden area, especially for tinted or metallic finishes that are easier to damage.

Pro Tips

• Use light, even pressure—pressing too hard can create uneven gloss or burn through edges.
• Always wet-sand under bright side lighting to spot imperfections early.
• Keep fresh water and paper handy; clogged grit can leave visible scratches.
• Allow the guitar to acclimate to room temperature before sanding to avoid condensation on the finish.

Aftercare

• Polish gently with a soft cloth after each playing session to preserve shine.
• Store the guitar in a case away from humidity and temperature swings.
• Re-polish once or twice a year if the gloss dulls slightly.
• Use only guitar-safe cleaning sprays—avoid silicone-based products.

FAQs

• Can I dry sand a guitar? Not recommended—dry sanding builds heat and can damage lacquer.
• Do I need a power buffer? No, but it helps for large, flat areas. Hand buffing works fine for curves and contours.
• How do I avoid sanding through edges? Wrap sandpaper around a soft pad and use gentle, gliding strokes along contours.

Watch & Learn

Using 800 Grit (25-pack), 1500 Grit (50-pack), and 2000 Grit (100-pack) ensures your guitar finish shines like a showroom model—smooth, deep, and beautifully reflective under stage lights.