Getting a Gloss Guitar Finish with Car Polish

In this video, I'm using car polish to get a gloss finish on a guitar body I've had sitting around for a while. The products I used are Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. If you're finishing a guitar and want a glossy finish, but don't have a buffing wheel, etc. (like me), you could probably just do this instead.
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[@doomorbedoomed8748]

Put more on!!

[@ryans9029]

That is an extreme excessive amount of compound being applied.. Use a quarter of that amount for each round... It shouldn't look like it's coated in lotion..

[@saturnslastring]

^^^This. A teaspoon or two would be enough for something this size.

[@danielirvine7468]

Wow you use a lot !

[@suspectdown5133]

More polish = better shine.... Looks like enough to do a fleet of cars....

[@xypher2]

I tried using the Ultra Polish on a poly finished Black guitar. It provided a very smooth finish, however there was a slight haze that was very hard to get rid of. The polish was applied by hand and an applicator. I tried using water, isopropyl alcohol and windex. The white cloudy/hazy look does not go off. Do you have any tips? Thanks!

[@j.ivguitar8636]

Sounds like some of the polish might've dried on the guitar. I'd maybe try going over it again with a fresh coat of the polish or compound and try to get it all off while it's wet. You might have to muscle it pretty hard.

[@jfo3000]

I saw a friend put a haze onto a guitar with isopropyl. I'm not sure that's for guitar finishes.

[@DeeTee79]

This was helpful. I’m currently looking into non spray finishing and I’m thinking Mcguiar’s is the way to go. After all weren’t they originally in the furniture polishing business first?
Cheers

[@Humongous_Pig_Benis]

Ok, so I understood that there are two products here: the compound first, and second the finish.
I guess the finish says it all, but what's the purpose of the compound? Is it a not so fine as the finish polishing?
Thanks for any hint.

[@j.ivguitar8636]

Right! The compound is a little bit more abrasive than the polish. It's the same principle as using progressively higher grits of sandpaper. Each step higher takes out finer and finer scratches, until you're left with a high gloss finish.

[@Humongous_Pig_Benis]

@@j.ivguitar8636 Now I get it all! And the different sanding papers' grit analogy makes perfect sense.
Much appreciated, J.!

[@j.ivguitar8636]

@@Humongous_Pig_Benis Glad I could help!

[@donutnuts4594]

is that poly finish before compound? did you sanded it before compound and polish?

[@nishantpatel6669]

Polish should be silicone free?

[@2dazetake]

I thought you were preparing the guitar for a shave,with that much lotion,by now I'm sure you know better,after reading some of the other comments here, just wanted to thank you anyway for making the video,it didn't hurt a thing using a little to much,turned out beautifully.

[@MegaAnthonys]

i have an old gibson from the sonora desert some guy tried to redo the finish--pretty bad shape--im in mexico--im going to try your hand technique--more my style

[@welshman71]

Whoah, it's not sun cream you're slapping on there

[@adriansvarela]

Cool video thanks man

[@deathleechofficial]

When can i polish and wax my guitar? Clearcoated it yesterday

[@j.ivguitar8636]

The clear coat needs to be completely dry. How long that'll take depends on the product you used, how thick you put it on, etc. But I like to let it dry for at least as long as the clear coat's instructions say, and generally several days longer.

[@danielirvine7468]

I think just the compound would be enough for me

[@CorbenEdward]

NOT ENOUGH POLISH! Use at least 4 bottles for just the back.

[@stormtrigger5578]

Is it alright to use them after spray painting my guitar?

[@j.ivguitar8636]

Yep. Should be fine

[@agusg.t.8950]

Can be used on a nitro satin finish?

[@j.ivguitar8636]

From everything I read, it should be good. I specifically chose it for that reason, when I was building my Solo Music tele kit, because I was maybe going to use nitro on it. Ended up using Minwax lacquer though, which I don't think is real nitro, so I don't really have any firsthand experience.

[@thegatsby.1120]

Circular action,linear action,any action?

[@vince_vatican777]

I'm gonna take a crack at it on satin nitro..

[@ryans9029]

Doesn't work like that...

[@frixoskallenos4688]

The guitar body looked already shiny, before you started adding anything. Did you use something after paint?

[@j.ivguitar8636]

No, it's just polyurethane overtop of bare wood.

[@looking_33]

that is way too much compound dude. you could do a car with all that

[@ampegloud]

overkill

[@retrovideo2124]

Not to sound gay but you have a very relaxing Mr. Rogers type voice : )

[@j.ivguitar8636]

Haha thanks!

[@spllbnd2]

Probably not a good idea to use automotive products that may contain abrasives and silicone on any guitar finish.

[@j.ivguitar8636]

That might be true of some products. In this case though, these Meguiars polishes are used fairly commonly on guitars. I believe there's actually a type of guitar polish, sold specifically for guitars, that's just rebranded Meguiars.

[@MobileDecay]

A friend of mine that details motorcycles also uses the same equipment to paint and polish his guitars. They look mind blowing when he's done too!

[@ryans9029]

Absolutely no reason not to use them. Abrasives are the whole point of polish and buffing....

[@saturnslastring]

It's not a good idea, it's a great idea.