Northwest Guitars Water Based Glossy Top Coat for Acoustic Guitars - 250ml

After months of research and testing, we're really excited to introduce our new range of guitar-specific water-based products.

This water-based product will produce a deep, vibrant finish, with easy application and relatively quick drying times. It can be used straight out of the tin with the minimum of prep — just sand the body smooth — and applied with a lint-free cloth or sponge applicator.

Drying time is around 3 hours. 3–4 coats tend to be enough for a deep rich finish, but additional coats can be applied if necessary. Allow each coat to dry, then apply the next until you reach your coverage.

One 250ml bottle will give you plenty to play with, with enough product to easily complete 2 or 3 guitars.

Flatting and Polishing to a High Gloss

Allow 7 days after your final coat before cutting back and polishing. Our water-based formula does not shrink back as it cures, so you only need to flat it once. Allow 10–14 days if you have built more than 6–8 coats, or if you have worked in a cold or damp space.

Take extra care on an acoustic. This is a wipe-on film applied to thin, resonant timber, so burn-through is a genuine risk — particularly on the soundboard, at the soundhole edge, along the binding and around the bridge footprint.

1. Soak your wet-or-dry paper in water for around 10 minutes before you start.
2. Wet sand with 1500 grit, lubricated with water and a single drop of washing-up liquid. Use straight strokes — never circular, which leaves swirl you will not polish out. Do not use a block on the soundboard; use a folded pad or your fingers and very light pressure.
3. Keep water away from the soundhole and do not allow it to run inside the body. Wipe dry frequently.
4. Move to 2000 grit, worked at 90° to your 1500 strokes, until every 1500 scratch has gone.
5. Rinse the paper often. The added flexibility in this formulation can load the abrasive faster than a rigid film.
6. Dry off completely, then buff with a finishing compound. Once you are through 2000 grit there is nothing left to cut — a finishing compound has far finer particles and is what brings the gloss up. Hand buffing with a foam applicator is the safest option on a soundboard; if machine polishing, use a low speed and keep the pad moving.

1500 and 2000 grit is the correct sequence for this product. If the surface has visible texture or dust nibs, start at 1200 first. Do not start below 1000 grit.