My Guitar Finishing Equipment

March 16, 2025

Before Starting

✓Always be very careful with your body and your sleeves. It's easy to cause a bump, scratch, or drop of polish. Don't rush.
✓Make sure your environment is always clean. A common issue is applying stain or varnish in a dusty setting, which results in an imperfect finish.
✓Don't varnish the fingerboard unless you know this is your preference. Normally, we apply nothing or just a little lemon or mineral oil (for Rosewood or Ebony) to maintain a comfortable feel.

Useful Products Available on The Guitar Fabrik

Only the strictly necessary tools are listed here. However, you can always enhance your result using additional tools and adjustments. These require experience in lutherie and are not covered here.

Sand Paper	A range of sandpapers, P240, P400, P600, P800, P1000, & P1200, for sanding and polishing. Use them throughout the finishing process, especially for initial sanding and final polishing.
Copper Tape	Recommended: The adhesive copper tape will prevents electromagnetic interference from pickups and improves sound quality.
Sanding Block	Recommended: A 240-grit sanding block will be used in both during the early sanding and during the final polishing stages. Attach different grit papers to suit your different needs.
Gloves	A pair (or two) of rubber gloves to protect your hands during some finishing stages.
Painting Brush	Optional: A wide brush will make the applying of a grain fille, a dye or a varnish evenly, easier.
Cloth	Optional: It will be used for applying a dye, a Tru-Oil finish, a polishing product or to clean & wipe your guitar neck and body. A microfiber cloth is recommended.
Masking Tape	It will be used to protect areas like the fretboard or bindings that shouldn't be painted or sanded.
Plastic Card	Optional: Useful for smoothly and evenly applying th grain filler.
Vacuum or Air Spray	Optional: Useful during sanding to remove dust and keep the workspace clean.
Fan	Recommended: For dry sanding during the final polishing phase.