dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

[Chazzy]

I want something to bring my bc rich alive... the finish is satin and dry and altho i make sure to keep my guitar hydrated at exactly 50% in the case it just doesnt feel so good overall... i was thinking the dunlop wax would make it feel a little nicer overall or give it some shine because it looks lame now... and the dunlop fretboard conditioning kit worked nicely on my yamaha... im just wondering if its safe to put wax on a guitar a satin guitar? Also if i should use the polish and the wax or stick to only wax

 

[kramersteen]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

I want something to bring my bc rich alive... the finish is matte and dry and altho i make sure to keep my guitar hydrated at exactly 50% in the case it just doesnt feel so good overall... i was thinking the wax would make it feel a little nicer overall... and the dunlop fretboard conditioning kit worked nicely on my yamaha... im just wondering if its safe to polish a matte guitar?

Hmmmmm. it can make it shiny but usually it takes some cutting compound too. I think it will be safe as long as you dont rub the **** out of it.

 

[Chazzy]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

also it is a satin finish btw... dont think it a makes a difference... but anyway i just wanted a bit of a shine to it... like not complete crazy gloss but just seem gleem to it u know? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqaSME1W9F4 this guy did it with his les paul and it seemed to work... im wondering whether i should use the polish and cleaner or just the wax, im worried the polish and cleaner will have chemicals that are corrosive to my guitar and the wax seems safer?

 

[uOpt]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

A true matte finish must not be polished, ever. It isn't repairable when damaged either. Partially polishing it can look very odd very quickly.

However, most guitar polishing products do no polishing in the industrial sense. They just have some solvents for dirt and goo and a bit of scratch filler (which works by dissolving the existing finish just a bit). That specifically includes guitar fetish'es "polisher" and "cleaner", neither of which polish and of which the "cleaner" is the more aggressive. Doesn't make any naming sense but hey marketing.

A true matte finish should be treated with something that only has dirt solvent and no component for scratch filling. The guitar companies would never tell you what their stuff actually contains. I would contact 3M's customer service department and ask what you should use on a car's matte finish, e.g. BMW's "frozen bronze". That should get you the right product - although they might just send you a Dove soap bar from 7/11.

 

[Chazzy]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

well i actually have a satin finish, its just not glossy, i dont believe it is matte, or is the same thing as matte

 

[kilphody]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

Matte is flat. Satin is almost flat.
Get a microfiber cloth and buff without any crap.

PC

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

I know guys that used Virtuoso Cleaner and Polish on their satin finished Martins. Give a nice semi-gloss finish...a patina look.

Bill

 

[kilphody]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

^^^
I'll have to check that out.
PC

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

I really like the Virtuoso products, but I also use the Dunlop System and I have some Planet Waves Cleaner and Polish, too.

I used the Virtuoso on my VOS Les Pauls; it took off the VOS gloss--they look more like a well-cared for vintage guitar--just the right amount of gloss without being too shiny. I know guys have also used this treatment to gloss up the LP Standard Faded guitars that came out a few years ago. These had satin finishes, too. Most of them have nicely figured tops, usually a Faded Tobacco or Iced Tea coloring, and the Virtuoso treatment adds a nice shine and makes the figuring really pop out.

I also discovered that the Virtuoso Cleaner worked wonders on treating the back of a gloss finished neck, and took out the stickiness. I did two applications; I rubbed it in good and let it sit for 20-25 minutes before buffing it out each time, and then followed that with an application of the Virtuoso Polish. The sticky is gone...and it didn't come back.

Good stuff.

Bill

 

[Scott_F]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

I can't imagine dunlop 65 hurting it. Perhaps try it on a less noticeable area first? Right by the neck joint, side panel by the heel, lower side. Good spot for testing.

 

[Chazzy]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

a guitar tech who has loads of experience with this stuff said wet sanding and buffing could really give it shine, and that wax wasnt the way to go

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

Most companies recommend using only a damp rag on their satin finishes. Even the Dunlop 65 Spritz bottle will add some shine to a satin finish, so it's not the recommended thing to use if you want to keep the original finish.

I'm sure wet sanding and buffing could do the job--but you could also do more harm than good. You don't want to overdo it and damage the finish. He's going to charge you too, so you'll have to figure out if it is really worth it to you.

The Virtuoso is a very, very, very fine polishing compound, not a wax. If you really want to gloss up the satin, start here. And the elbow grease is free!

Bill

 

[Chazzy]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

ok sweet, and i am ok with the dude charging me, ultra reliable, has repaired all of my guitars multiple times and has never failed...i will definitely send him a link to this thread to see if he has any ideas or opinions...

 

[uOpt]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

Neither one of the Virtuoso products are an abrasive polish.

 

[Demanic]

Re: dunlop guitar polish kit on matte finish?

I bet something like a no wax like Endust would work just fine.