[MWSVette]

  Alright, when polishing the cups I went a bit too far on one side, and the top part of the "e" in the fostex logo became bare. No more lacquer over that. damn (see how the reflection isn't the same)

 
So it was time to play a bit with the cups! sanded down that one and applied clear satin polyurethane varnish to see how that would look. Results:
 

 
What do you guys think? Do you prefer satin or glossy? the color appears more pink with the satin coating and I quite like that but glossy is really attractive (especially without the bubble wrap stains) Trying to decide what I should do next

If you are taking vote.  + 1 for satin...

 

[Zbell]

  Alright, when polishing the cups I went a bit too far on one side, and the top part of the "e" in the fostex logo became bare. No more lacquer over that. damn (see how the reflection isn't the same)

 
So it was time to play a bit with the cups! sanded down that one and applied clear satin polyurethane varnish to see how that would look. Results:
 

 
What do you guys think? Do you prefer satin or glossy? the color appears more pink with the satin coating and I quite like that but glossy is really attractive (especially without the bubble wrap stains) Trying to decide what I should do next

They both look so good!  Tough decisions.  What type of polish did you use?  Any advice for those that are gonna try the same thing?

 

[ATau]

so 3 for satin and 2 for glossy right now, just to keep count
 
 

 

They both look so good!  Tough decisions.  What type of polish did you use?  Any advice for those that are gonna try the same thing?

I posted a picture of the polish I used a few pages back
Advice: be very gentle, don't use too much force and don't rub for too long. The coating on the cups is actually quite thin!

 

[jamor]

Definitely glossy

 

[WayTooCrazy]

The satin does give it a less "plastic" and more of a refined "wood" look. Though, I still think I like the Glossy better.

 

[MWSVette]

The satin gives them a look simular to the TH-610,
 
 

 
But with that great purpleheart color...

 

[ATau]

  The satin gives them a look simular to the TH-610,
But with that great purpleheart color...

 
Nice comparison! I hadn't thought of that

 

[HiFiChris]

My vote would go for glossy as I've used a satin finish most of the time when building speakers, so glossy is more "refreshing" to me.

 

[slex]

Are the inner cups bare and unfinish?

 

[ATau]

Are the inner cups bare and unfinish?

Absolutely! (the 'R' marking is from me btw)
 

 

[Manrique Chan]

I hope you are recording the process of refinishing these cups so we can watch it later on YouTube...

 

[ATau]

  I hope you are recording the process of refinishing these cups so we can watch it later on YouTube...

 
Hahaha no sorry I'm not, but I'm taking plenty of pictures! Its my first time refinishing headphone cups too. The only time I did anything with wood was to dye and varnish my Bottlehead Crack.
I'll have to wait for tomorrow anyway to do anything else. I got some bubbles in the satin varnish........

I'll let it cure, sand it and try again tomorrow

 

[Zbell]

Are you afraid of sanding off the Fostex logo?  Would that be easy to accidentally do?

 

[betula]

 
What do you guys think? Do you prefer satin or glossy? the color appears more pink with the satin coating and I quite like that but glossy is really attractive (especially without the bubble wrap stains) Trying to decide what I should do next

Tough decision, both look good. Maybe glossy wins by a margin, as it looks a bit 'classier', at least on the picture. 

 

[ATau]

  Are you afraid of sanding off the Fostex logo?  Would that be easy to accidentally do?

 
That's exactly what I'm afraid of... The Fostex logo seems to be some kind of very thin plastic decal. I was really extra careful when sanding around the bare "e" of the logo before applying the coating. I think using sandpaper, even very fine sandpaper, will surely damage the logo very easily if you're not careful.