Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
If you're new to guitar finishing, you've come to the right place. This is StewMac's step-by-step guitar finishing course. In this 3-part series we show you exactly what you need to do to get a professional-quality guitar finish at home using aerosol lacquers. **The results are pretty amazing**
This series has been months in the making and covers it all:
- How to finish a guitar body
- How to finish a guitar neck
- How to repaint a guitar / refinish a guitar
All using nitro aerosol finishes.
It's perfect for anyone - no experience necessary! You really CAN get a pro-quality result (even on your first try) if you follow these steps.
** EPISODE 1: covers prep sanding, pore filling and applying sealer coats. **
00:00 Intro
02:48 Overview - A Great Finish Starts with a Great Prep
05:13 Inspection, Fixing Dents & Prep Sanding
05:58 Fixing a Dent
09:14 Sanding Basics
12:06 Sanding the guitar
23:09 Masking off the Fingerboard
26:51 Prep Steps if you are REFINISHING a guitar
28:51 Pore Filling
36:21 Applying the Pore Fill
43:23 Sanding the Pore Fill
49:24 Inspecting the Pore Fill
50:56 Applying Vinyl Sealer
51:55 Spraying Safety & Logistics
56:35 Choosing the Right Finish
57:53 Tips for Spraying Aerosols
01:02:05 Spraying the Vinyl Sealer
01:04:55 Sanding the Vinyl Sealer Coat
01:07:38 What’s Next?
We'd like to give a huge shoutout to Chris and Matt @Driftwood Guitars (youtube.com/channel/UCxCp0SN53j6SIx9z8uWbg-w) for helping us with this series. Thanks so much guys, it was a blast shooting this series with you!
** ITEMS USED IN THIS VIDEO INCLUDE: **
Wilkinson Guitar Kit
stewmac.com/item/6282
Sanding Block for Self-Adhesive Sandpaper
stewmac.com/item/3699
Micro-mesh Foam Sanding Block
stewmac.com/item/3701
3M Stikit Gold Abrasives Roll
stewmac.com/item/5768
Respirator Mask
stewmac.com/item/5879
OptiVISOR
stewmac.com/item/1685
Naphtha
stewmac.com/item/0766
Blue Painter's Tape
stewmac.com/item/2332
ColorTone Powdered Grain Filler
stewmac.com/item/0269
Mixing Cups, Set of 10
stewmac.com/item/4199
Grain Filler Leveler
stewmac.com/item/4939
Guitar Finish Step-by-Step Book
stewmac.com/item/5095
ColorTone Vinyl Sealer
stewmac.com/item/3884
Aerosol Spray Nozzles
stewmac.com/item/5058
- - - - - - - - - - - -
StewMac has everything you need to repair, build or maintain your guitars.
Everything we sell is backed by our Lifetime Promise, and we offer fast worldwide shipping.
Shop StewMac: stewmac.com
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar
Facebook: facebook.com/StewMac
If you're new to guitar finishing, you've come to the right place. This is StewMac's step-by-step guitar finishing course. In this 3-part series we show you exactly what you need to do to get a professional-quality guitar finish at home using aerosol lacquers. **The results are pretty amazing**
This series has been months in the making and covers it all:
- How to finish a guitar body
- How to finish a guitar neck
- How to repaint a guitar / refinish a guitar
All using nitro aerosol finishes.
It's perfect for anyone - no experience necessary! You really CAN get a pro-quality result (even on your first try) if you follow these steps.
** EPISODE 1: covers prep sanding, pore filling and applying sealer coats. **
00:00 Intro
02:48 Overview - A Great Finish Starts with a Great Prep
05:13 Inspection, Fixing Dents & Prep Sanding
05:58 Fixing a Dent
09:14 Sanding Basics
12:06 Sanding the guitar
23:09 Masking off the Fingerboard
26:51 Prep Steps if you are REFINISHING a guitar
28:51 Pore Filling
36:21 Applying the Pore Fill
43:23 Sanding the Pore Fill
49:24 Inspecting the Pore Fill
50:56 Applying Vinyl Sealer
51:55 Spraying Safety & Logistics
56:35 Choosing the Right Finish
57:53 Tips for Spraying Aerosols
01:02:05 Spraying the Vinyl Sealer
01:04:55 Sanding the Vinyl Sealer Coat
01:07:38 What’s Next?
We'd like to give a huge shoutout to Chris and Matt @Driftwood Guitars (youtube.com/channel/UCxCp0SN53j6SIx9z8uWbg-w) for helping us with this series. Thanks so much guys, it was a blast shooting this series with you!
** ITEMS USED IN THIS VIDEO INCLUDE: **
Wilkinson Guitar Kit
stewmac.com/item/6282
Sanding Block for Self-Adhesive Sandpaper
stewmac.com/item/3699
Micro-mesh Foam Sanding Block
stewmac.com/item/3701
3M Stikit Gold Abrasives Roll
stewmac.com/item/5768
Respirator Mask
stewmac.com/item/5879
OptiVISOR
stewmac.com/item/1685
Naphtha
stewmac.com/item/0766
Blue Painter's Tape
stewmac.com/item/2332
ColorTone Powdered Grain Filler
stewmac.com/item/0269
Mixing Cups, Set of 10
stewmac.com/item/4199
Grain Filler Leveler
stewmac.com/item/4939
Guitar Finish Step-by-Step Book
stewmac.com/item/5095
ColorTone Vinyl Sealer
stewmac.com/item/3884
Aerosol Spray Nozzles
stewmac.com/item/5058
- - - - - - - - - - - -
StewMac has everything you need to repair, build or maintain your guitars.
Everything we sell is backed by our Lifetime Promise, and we offer fast worldwide shipping.
Shop StewMac: stewmac.com
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar
Facebook: facebook.com/StewMac
