Turning satin to gloss finish. A few questions

[12Gauge]

I'm thinking about putting a gloss finish on my Larrivee L-03. I have read the steps involved but I still have a few questions.

 

What is the procedure for polishing around the bridge, pick guard and sound hole rosette? Do you cover these with masking tape or how should one protect them? I don't think I would want to get polish on these???

 

How about the neck heel? I don't want to shine the neck so do I mask off the heel also?

 

Last but not least, does one do the headstock also?

[Freeman Keller]

I assume you are talking about this technique

http://p082.ezboard.com/Buffing-Out-a-Satin-Finish/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm19.showMessage?topicID=35.topic

Mask off anything you don't want to get glossed - bridge, fretboard, etc. I put some rags in the soundhole when I buff tops. If the rosette is inlayed you can gloss right over it, if it is a decal there is still probably enough finish to not try to mask it. It is up to you whether you want to do the headstock (I would) - best to remove the tuners and maybe pop the nut out (or at least mask it). You can clean the buffing compounds out of small edges with little wooden sticks - I use those thing dentists give you for cleaning your gums.

Like it or not, the back of the neck will shine itself from play. If it were mine I would polish the heel also.