JBASHORUN -> RE: Luthiers, how do I fix finishing? (Jan. 22 2006 22:19:23)
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quote:
could I reduce the appearance of those ugly fingernail dents without stripping the whole finish? That would be something too much for a cheap guitar? Cheston... don't think anyone ever answered your question. The answer is "yes" you can. What you need are three things: a) wood filler b) lacquer c) micro-mesh abrasive cloth The woodfiller is basically just if the dents have actually gone through into the wood itself. If they have, you'll need to fill the dents with filler, then sand them flat once dry. If several fillers are available, choose the one that closest maches the colour of the guitar soundboard wood. If the dents aren't through to the wood, then don't bother with filler. Next you'll need some lacquer. I'm assuming your guitar is lacqered. If it is a very glossy, thick and shiny finish it is probably nitrocellulose lacquer. If it is shiny but "thinner" looking, it is probably french polished. If it is not that shiny, or "satin" looking, it is probably oil finished. But most cheap guitars are lacquered. You'll need to apply the lacquer with a fine brush. Aim to "fill" the gap in the surface until the wet lacquer is slightly protruding above the rest of the surface. Then sand back with fine wet and dry paper until it doesn't protrude anymore, and the new lacquer is flush with the old lacquer. Then get yourself some micro-mesh abrasive cloth (expensive stuff, but the best thing to use). work on the area of the dent and just outside it with the coarsest grade of cloth, then work your way up to the finest (I think it goes right up to 12,000 grade). This will basically POLISH the area to bring it up to a shine like the rest of the guitar. I think this procedure would work best on newer lacquer... if its a very old guitar the lacquer tends to discolour and be brittle, whjich complicates matters. You can get the lacquer from Stewart Macdonald luthiery supplies: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Finishes_and_solvents.html But be aware that it isn't that they sometimes don't ship nitrocellulose out of the country (due to flammability), so you might wanna look around where you live for a supplier. If you really can't find a supplier locally, try their water-based lacquer, although I'm not sure if this would work as well, as I've never used it. Hope that helps a bit. James
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