Micro-Mesh Sanding Sticks

Posted on September 13, 2015

AMERICAN TOOLBOX HAS lately turned their energies to acoustic instrument refurbishment as a way to bridge operating deficits incurred running this USA products online resource.  Last year we wrote about a scruffy Peavey T-25.  A few months later it was a cracked Guild D-4.  Most lately, a facial for a Collings MT2.

Our Collings mandolin is back.  This time it is surgery.  Its problem?  Potholes in the frets.  Its Schedule Of Events:  remove all hardware;  straighten neck;  sand frets level;  recrown frets;  polish frets;  polish entire instrument with Novus;  reinstall all hardware, including a new cast tailpiece for improved sustain and depth of tone;  new strings.  Play and enjoy.

Advice came in from all sides.  Love notes, bold plans to change the world, gentle suggestions, even blasts of opinion as powerful as #4 shot from a double barrel pump 10 gauge!

In the end, for final polishing of the frets, we went with foam core polishing sticks from Micro-Surface Finishing Products of Wilton Iowa.  The same company that makes nail buffers found in almost every nail salon and cosmetic counter?  Yep, the very one.  

MICRO-MESH was originally developed for the restoration of fine art. It was found to be very effective for removing layers of contamination, old varnish and paint without damaging the delicate original substrate or masterpiece beneath it. – PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

The company history is fascinating!  Their client list, amazing.  The product quality, unsurpassed.  American Toolbox gives Micro-Mesh their highest rating, SIX Thumbs Up!

Stay tuned! An upcoming post will detail the finished project!