help me fix that guitar scratch

  • Thread starter Thread starter EleosFever
  • Start date Start date
E

EleosFever

New member
hello,

i got a scratch exactly under the middle pickup.
is there an easy way to fix it?

100_3077.JPG
 
Last edited:
You can't see much from those pics but as a rule unless you really know what you are doing do not try and touch up cosmetic scratches and dings you're sure to make it worse.
 
muttley600 said:
You can't see much from those pics but as a rule unless you really know what you are doing do not try and touch up cosmetic scratches and dings you're sure to make it worse.
Click to expand...

Obviously. That's why I'm asking you here guys....
 
Hey muttley...our "Feedback" thread tête à tête aside... ;)

...what is your opinion about using crazy glue for touch-ups?

I see on the StewMac site that they sell three different viscosities of it, and they specifically talk about using it for finish touch ups.
I’ve actually used it in the past a couple of times in a pinch (before I ever saw it on the StewMac site) mainly to try and keep a ding/chip from completely popping out and exposing the wood, and when I didn’t have any lacquer on hand.
Other than that…I’ve also used clear nail polish lacquer a few times to fill/protect a ding.

Both of which appear to be removable with some mild buffing as neither seems to permanently fuse into the existing finish.
 
miroslav said:
Hey muttley...our "Feedback" thread tête à tête aside... ;)

...what is your opinion about using crazy glue for touch-ups?

I see on the StewMac site that they sell three different viscosities of it, and they specifically talk about using it for finish touch ups.
I’ve actually used it in the past a couple of times in a pinch (before I ever saw it on the StewMac site) mainly to try and keep a ding/chip from completely popping out and exposing the wood, and when I didn’t have any lacquer on hand.
Other than that…I’ve also used clear nail polish lacquer a few times to fill/protect a ding.

Both of which appear to be removable with some mild buffing as neither seems to permanently fuse into the existing finish.
Click to expand...

It's OK for very small dings and scratches. The trick is to get it to fill the scratch and let it go off slowly then finish on top of it. You often have to do it a few times to get it level and cut back. It will set pretty clear but will not burnish up so you have to finish on top for best results. Build up in layers if you have to. It will build fairly quickly but any moisture will craze it and dirt will get trapped so you have to be clean as you go. I do use it.

Nail polish is a different beast and is more likely to attack the surrounding finish. You can use it but you have to be more careful. Normally if I need to use a solvent based touch up I'll go with a proper finishing touch up and shoot it with an air brush or rag and cut back and burnish.
 
The technique is called drop filling by the way and if you are dealing with nitro you are often best off using nitro for the fix or using a pull over solvent to drag it out.
 
miroslav said:
Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

Your welcome. Seriously though my usual advice to people who want minor scratches and dings fixed is to learn to live with them. It is a real art to get them right and they can be a real pain. If it isn't structural live with it or stump up for a major refinish. Getting them right is an art. Every ding needs a different fix and the skill lies in knowing which way to go.
 
Yeah, I'd go the Sharpie route if you just can't live with it. It will kind of hide it if it would bug you having it visible but there is little point in a "pro" fix unless it's a big dollar guitar or currently for sale.


lou
 
Yeah...but it's always a little hard to get over that first ding/scratch. :)
 
After taking a look at the new picture that shows the "scratch"....I'm still going with my original black sharpie response. With the sharpie touchup, it will blend it in and not be too noticeable IMO unless you are really looking for it.
 
Neither pic shows a scratch I can discern, so we are all rather shooting in the dark, here. Still, my suggestion:

The large majority of automotive touch-up paints are actually lacquer, and there will be a dizzing array of colors. You can get enough to refinish all the scratches you will ever have on a guitar for less than about ten bucks. Buy the bottle type with the brush in the cap, not the spray.

The EASIEST way to go is to simply paint some of the stuff in the crack and leave it alone.

The NICEST repair will be to over-fill the crack, then sand the over-fill with 200, then 400, then 800, then 1200 grit sand paper. Wet sanding is best, but you would have to completely remove the electronics- but if you go wet sanding, use a hand-pump spray bottle, the kind glass cleaner, etc. comes in. Or, dry sand.

Once the sanding is done, buff it with white buffing compound and a high-speed buffer= 1,500 rpm or so. What this does is actually SOFTEN THE FINISH SO THE NEW AND EXISTING FINISH "KNITS" TOGETHER.

This is EXACTLY the method auto-body painters use, and it works- on cars and guitars (and bars, and the Man from Mars...) I HAVE used this method, so I KNOW it works. On guitars. On poly finishes AND NCL. But I can tell you, it is NOT for the faint of heart. Once you start sanding, you are "in for a penny, in for a pound."
 
For really dinky stuff I just use nail polish. Never had it hurt a finish, but then I just lightly apply 1 layer and don't drag it around. I mean real dinky shit, more like cracks, just to stabilize it so I don't lose any of the original finish.

Florin over at the Warwick forum says he likes the first scratch or dent. He says when a guitar is new you're always afraid of that first ding, but once it's there, no need to worry any more and you can really enjoy your axe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top