Varnishing a scratchplate

[Trueno]

My new bass (NBD post post forthcoming) has a rather cheap and nasty scratchplate. Worst case scenario is that I'll get a new one made up. In the meantime, for much less than a fiver, I've bought some Humbrol clear enamel varnish from the local model shop. The first coat has gone on ok with some tiny bubbles embedded in it. The varnish plus tiny bubbles is still way better than the original, but in the interest of achieving perfection... is there a clever way to smooth it down? Brisk rub with a dry cloth? T-cut? And is there an optimal number of coats... or do I just carry on until the scratchplate is 3" thick?

Cheers, guys!

[jebroad]

On the next coat, use a heatgun (or hairdryer) to remove the bubbles before it drys. This should work and help for a professional finish. Wet/dry sand paper from 600-1500 works well with alot of finishes but use it in steps, E.G;600,800,1000,1200,1500.

Edited April 11, 2018 by jebroad

[Trueno]

Excellent... never even knew about the hairdryer... thanks.

[jebroad]

Just now, Trueno said:

Excellent... never even knew about the hairdryer... thanks.

No problem. Its nothing complicated, hot air rises.

[ikay]

Useful tip, but won't a hairdryer stir up a lot of dust and swap one problem for another?

[jebroad]

2 hours ago, ikay said:

Useful tip, but won't a hairdryer stir up a lot of dust and swap one problem for another?

Depends if there’s lots of dust around really, it’s a method used with epoxy resin very often.