Finish REPAIR

[Mingus]

OK. . .i know. . .leave the finish alone. I just can't. I've got this '77 D-25ch that i'm pretty fond of now (got it about 2 weeks ago), but the finish is just killing me. Not to mention that the guitar wasn't properly cared for. . .meaning stints of over and under humidification has left the look of the guitar just YUCKY.

So anyway. . .the crazing I can deal with. . .but there are a few spots that are eating at me. The biggest one is a 2.5" scratch that I put in it while trying to get all of the grime off of it. It's under the strings between the G and B string and runs between the soundhole and the bridge. It's really freakin ugly! While cleaning between the strings, my finger slipped. . .breaking the nail on the string. . .and then proceeding to scratch the finish! The finish was pretty brittle there!

Anyone ever touch up the finish on these? i'm considering buying some nitro lacquer and touching up these spots with a brush. Once the bubbles i put on them stop sinking in, i was going to micromesh the top back up to a high gloss shine.

Any thoughts? SOMEONE must have some experience with these stained(?) tops. Refinishing is out because a) i'm inexperienced with a total refinish and b) doing it right would be too expensive. It would also change the tone. . .which could be good or bad. i wouldn't know until it happens!

Then again. . .I could live with it awhile until I work up the nerve to sell it and buy one with a nice pristine top. . .but man. . .Can you really just sell a child because he's ugly??

-James

 

[guildzilla]

James, you could try polishing it out with a product for fine scratch removal such as Novus 2 (I use) or Meguiars. May not eliminate but might mitigate the scratch. If you search old Tech Shop threads, you will see other posts on this topic.

Also, vintage '70's D-25's are frequently in player's condition, with lots of dings and scratches from use. IMO, the market is a lot less sensitive to a blem such as you describe than it is with higher end acoustics. Also less picky about touch-ups.

 

[Mingus]

Yeah. . .not too concerned about the market. I'm just concerned about a guitar that's as pretty to look at as it is fun to play.

I can definitely buff out the pick scrapes and little scratches. . .but this one that I made is pretty bad. I couldn't believe i did it with my nail. The finish was pretty brittle and crusty. . .i was pretty shocked. My concerns are 1) can i fix this scratch and 2) I can also feel the grain in the spruce! Man. . .doesn't that just kill you when people don't take care of their stuff??

-James

 

[Mingus]

nobody's done any finish repairs? touchups? refinishes? nothing?

 

[hideglue]

nobody's done any finish repairs? touchups? refinishes? nothing?

Hi James,

Sure, you could say I've done a few repairs (others here have as well), but I really don't think 'post and reply' repair is the wisest thing to attempt.....ever. Matching and touching-up color can be a headache for even the most experienced repairman - never mind trying to tackle it as a novice (though I appreciate your enthusiasm to try). I say leave it alone or save up enough to have it done by someone more qualified.


Cheers

 

[Mingus]

nobody's done any finish repairs? touchups? refinishes? nothing?

Hi James,

Sure, you could say I've done a few repairs (others here have as well), but I really don't think 'post and reply' repair is the wisest thing to attempt.....ever. Matching and touching-up color can be a headache for even the most experienced repairman - never mind trying to tackle it as a novice (though I appreciate your enthusiasm to try). I say leave it alone or save up enough to have it done by someone more qualified.
Cheers

Thanks for putting that mildly. You're right. . .i'm by no means an expert, but have plenty of experience doing finish repairs and refinishes on electrics with nitro lacquer. The thing is that on the electric, the finish is usually MUCH thicker. I'm not worried as much about matching the color. I'm pretty ok with just using clear lacquer and having a discolored spot wherever there was an imperfection. I just want to restore the glossy shine. The thing is that this finish is extremely thin and pretty brittle at this point.

I guess at this point I should keep my eye out for a new one and just sell this one. It sounds great, but I can't live with how it looks and won't spend $500 to get it refinished. (I could probably refinish it cheaper, but i'd get it french polished at this point. . .keep the finish thin. . .i've heard some real butcher jobs of refinishes on acoustics. . .even by great luthiers. it may be a great finish job. . .but it just ruins the tone.)

-James