Buckle Rash Question

[J45dale]

I'm sure this has been covered before, but here's my sad story.
Went to a jam sat. night. Others wanted to try my D55. Everyone loved it. ( many Guild converts), But Sunday morning upon inspection, it now has its first buckle-rash. the spot is about the size of a silver dollar, multiple scratchs, none thru to the wood. How should I attempt to remove these....a polish?
I know not to let others play my guitars, as I am so picky. But I really enjoy hearing other players, who are much better than me, comment on, and enjoy playing my guitars, as it lets me see and hear what the guitar can accomplish.
Dale.

 

[FNG]

Try some Mequiars Scratch X.

 

[JerryR]

Great joy of having an old Guild like mine is a few more dings, nicks and scratches only add to the character. Having a pristine guitar is like having a new car - the first scratch is a real bummer :roll:

 

[kentukblue]

I use Planet Waves 3 part system...the Restore polish takes out minor scratches. Were talking minor though...nothing that you can really feel with your fingers. Any more than that i would try something like FNG was talking about.

And like Jerry said...you kinda have to decide if that kind of thing is going to bother you. I would do what i could with a little polish and then let it go. Although if i had a new D55 i would probably be hunting down the punk with the big belt buckle! :lol:

 

[West R Lee]

J45,

I'd take a long philosophical look at the situation, then I'd kill the low life that scratched my Guild.

First night I took my new ('01) D55 to a get together, these guys were just oohing and aweing over my newest flattop.....they all wanted to play it. About 5 minutes into letting the first guy play it...........BANG!, right against the coffee table. I thought I'd die on the spot. Gotta really look to see it, but that sound.....BAM.......I'll never forget that. Still plays the same though . Good luck, at least nobody stepped on it. :evil: :shock: .

West

 

[Jeff]

See the scratch on the lower bout, well it wasn't there when I received the guitar a month ago.

Turns out when you walk around my kitchen with a G37 hanging from your neck on a strap, it doesn't clear the kitchen countertop the way the F 20 does. Momentary lapse in concentration & a horrible "scritching" sound as it makes a permanent scratch in the finish.

Many bad words were uttered & I'm still sick about it. I'm of the opinion it's a done deal & short of refinishing the top, a permanent part of this guitar's heritage. Thankfully it wasn't a mint Stradivarious.

Opinions & techniques to the contrary happily solicited.

 

[curt]

Get some 1000P wet paper and let it soak for about thirty minutes. Take a dead flat block and sand it in :30 second intervals. Each time dipping the block and paper into clean water. Take a small flat squeegee and check to see that the scratches are gone.

This will only work if the scratches aren't too deep. If they have gone through the finish then it isn't going to work.

Also keep in mind that and polish or "scratch eliminator" are just fillers and the scratches WILL come back.

OR just leave them, guitars are made to be played and now it will have some history!

 

[J45dale]

Thanks guys for all the info, so far I have tryed nothing to attempt a fix. I know I am a odd picker, because I wash my hands before playing, wear a long sleeve shirt, with no bug spray or buttons, and do not wear a belt when playing.
I do know by experience that if you use them, they will all pick-up wear and time marks. It was just that my D55 was one of two guitars in my stable that did not have any damage, even after 5 years of heavy playing.... One left to go!
A funny note, I also had my old 1985 D25SB there that night. It was also played by everyone, with a lot of hot-licks, and good comments. I am happy to report that it aquired no new damage, possibly because it already looks as if it were dragged down a gravel road, tied to the back bumper of a pick-up truck. I've always wondered how its former owner/owners managed to do so much damage to such a fine guitar?
Anyway, In order to be a more relaxed person, I think I will now take a hammer and pocket knife to my 4 year old Martin D18AG, and just get it over with.
Only kidding :roll: ,
Dale.