Restore experts, I need advice on my Butterscotch

[shavervinnie]

I know some of you highly skilled restorers can help me with this. I've got this butterscotch that gave me trouble drilling out the knot. What's done is done As you can see in the pics, the top is in need of smoothing out. How do I do this ? Super fine sand paper? Also, I'm unsure of whether to eliminate the mold lines down the side or keep it in it's original state. I'm sure that's a subjective issue. Anyway, any guidance or opinions are valued here. Thanks!

Edit: I think I may have just found some guidance in this post

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/308055-First-Foray-into-Restores-Ever-Ready-200

 

[hig789]

Start with about 400 grit paper, and if it's going slow drop down to a coarser grit, and work your way up till you are happy. It should turn out great.

 

[MaxP]

Ouch! That's pretty well dinged.

IF you use a Dremel, be very darned careful. A slight slip can leave a gouge that will be very hard to remove.

However, if you're willing to be patient and put forth plenty of elbow grease, it'll turn out just fine.

 

[shavervinnie]

Ouch! That's pretty well dinged.

IF you use a Dremel, be very darned careful. A slight slip can leave a gouge that will be very hard to remove.

However, if you're willing to be patient and put forth plenty of elbow grease, it'll turn out just fine.

It's okay, I'm pretty well dinged myself. I'm actually not looking for restoration perfection but just to restore it to a better state than it was when I got it. Some of those 'dings" were actually there with the old knot. I found that odd. Anyway, however it comes out I'll enjoy looking at it and using it. It WILL shine and have a nice knot either way.

 

[Mike_P]

Maybe it's just me but... That doesn't look TOO bad. It's not pretty but it doesn't look bad. Just take it down with Sand paper as Matt (Hig) has suggested and you should be good to go. It should clean up pretty darn well.

 

[bastimret]

For mine that you referenced I started with 600 grit and worked up thru 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 and then 2500. Wet sanding with each. You can get sampler packs with one to two sheets of each at an auto parts store and save money by not buying packs of each. Just cut 2 inch wide strips off the larger sheet to use.

 

[Gigster]

Based on the condition of the area around the knot hole, I'd start with 220 or 240 and then work up (i.e, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, etc.). Don't skip grits.

The only issue of not removing the mold lines. . . .polishing will become more intensive and the end result will be an uneven polish (duller around the mold lines).

I completed a Fuller with a very similar upper portion. I removed the mold lines. Fairly easy. . . .I placed tape on each side of the mold lines and then used a small, fine tooth file to remove the majority of the mold lines (the tape protects the adjacent areas). I worked the remaining portion of the mold lines down with sandpaper.

 

[shavervinnie]

Thanks to all of you guys for the encouragement and ideas. I will hopefully start some of the process this weekend if time permits. I will post pics when it's done, but it may be a couple of weeks or so. Thanks again!

P.S. Mike_P is actually correct. It really doesn't look that bad in person. My little Canon Powershot takes pretty good pictures that make it appear like much more carnage then it is. I'm optimistic that it will come out pretty decent with some effort on my part.

 

[MaxP]

@ vinnie-

Any pix of the finished brush?