Removing surface scratches?

Coin

Coin

New member
Boy do I ask a lot of questions!

Anyway, I've noticed many many surface scratches on the body of my guitar that you can only see from an angle, like when you check a cd for scratches. I have no idea how they got there, i'm assuming everyday wear and tear.

Anything that is recommended to get them out? I have seen
http://www.deanmarkley.com/Accessories/LovePotion11.shtml
anyone use it or recommend it?

Thanks! :dance:
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

Most of the time, there is almost nothing that can be done about surface scratches.
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

A Lil' compound on a rag (Depending how deep they are?) You maybe able to buff them out depending on what type of finish? Try it in a unnoticeable part of the guitar 1st. In some case's you could do more damage than good.:smack: So be careful.
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

By any means i am not going to say do this... but a local store uses Brasso brass polish on a fine Auto buffing pad that you put in a drill... i have never tried it myself but i have seen them do it to a lot of Polly finnished used guitars that look like hell.. I've seen old MIM strats and stuff from the 80's look almost new... but some of the scratches will never come out.....

But at the same time don't worry about minor scratches!!! Guitars are meant to be played until there is nothing left in your hands but dust
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

I agree with WhoFan; you should wear your guitar's battle scars with honor. You don't have to intentionally beat the hell out of it, but scratches will show you've actually played it a bit and didn't buy it on a whim the week before. A little polishing now and then would be good to get the gunk off, and give it a little shine. If it really bothers you, monitor what you can do to minimize further damage, like removing bracelets, sleeves with buttons, etc.
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

some people say carnauba wax polishes can cover up the tiny little small scratches. never tried em before.
 
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Re: Removing surface scratches?

Unless it's a gouge, you can buff out any scratch that doesn't penetrate to the wood. Detailers do this all the time on cars and I'm pretty sure the paint is thicker on most new guitars than on cars. Just go to your automotive supply store and get some mild polishing compound. And like stratdeluxer said, you have to be careful not to "burn" thru the paint.

Heavy polishing compound = deep scratches. Must be followed by a finer polishing compond.

Polishing compound = for lighter scratches.

Wax = for protection only. Won't remove scratches. Some have fillers that will hide the scratch/swirl but will eventually disappear and reveal the scratch/swirl.

Here's a great site that, although for car detailing, will tell you all you need to know about polishes and waxes.
http://www.autopia.org/
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

If you can get a hold of some 3M Perfect-It III, that's what most auto-body places use. Car finish and guitar finish are pretty much the same thing.

Perfect-It III has three compounds: Rubbing Compound (blue label), Machine Glaze (black label), and Finishing Glaze (red label). You'll also need a foam buffing pad for your drill. Skip the blue label (that's mainly for polishing new finishes) and go straight to the black. Squirt a teaspoon or so onto the buffing pad, rub it onto the finish to get it coated, then turn on the drill and buff away. Use light pressure - don't dig in. As the glaze starts to dry, reduce pressure, then stop. You then rub the red label stuff on with a rag and wipe off the excess with a clean rag. Your guitar will look like sex when this process is done!
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

Car wax works great! If your guitar is black though, it's going to show any and all scratches anyway, just the nature of the beast. Most people say not to use car wax, that's because most also contain silicone, which is near impossible to remove if refinishing a guitar, however if you are never going to refinish your guitar, it doesn't matter.
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

ratherdashing said:
If you can get a hold of some 3M Perfect-It III, that's what most auto-body places use. Car finish and guitar finish are pretty much the same thing.

Perfect-It III has three compounds: Rubbing Compound (blue label), Machine Glaze (black label), and Finishing Glaze (red label). You'll also need a foam buffing pad for your drill. Skip the blue label (that's mainly for polishing new finishes) and go straight to the black. Squirt a teaspoon or so onto the buffing pad, rub it onto the finish to get it coated, then turn on the drill and buff away. Use light pressure - don't dig in. As the glaze starts to dry, reduce pressure, then stop. You then rub the red label stuff on with a rag and wipe off the excess with a clean rag. Your guitar will look like sex when this process is done!
Click to expand...
That's what I would do if I were going to try to remove them.
 
Re: Removing surface scratches?

My dad told me that Collings uses some car compound and buffs it out.



But then again, I don't know where he heard this...
 
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