Question Buffing your EBMM

[meenahga]

Has anyone here ever buffed out minor pick scratches on their guitars finish? I was just wondering what you may have used as far as buffing compound and buffing wheel. I saw a luthier at a guitar show a couple of years ago, buffing an Axis SS. The guitar looked like new when he was done. This was just for pick scratches on the clear coat only, not down to the paint or anything. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks.

 

[GHWelles]

I like to hand buff using 3M auto clear coat finish restore compound.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Car/Care/Products/Appearance/Scratch_Remover/

 

[TNT]

I was hoping you were referring to a "new" playing technique!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

I'd leave it as it is - you are always removing a "gnats 8ollock" of finish when you use a rubbing compound.

Maybe just use a good polish instead?

 

[travs]

Try Honda polish and cleaner. It is amazing (aerosol wax with a cleaning agent)
I have used it on my moto's for years. then I started using on my Al. Its amazin on chrome,stainless and paint.

All Honda motorcycle shop carry it or online.
Manufacturer Part No: 08732SCP00

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I say leave it and live with it - there will be many more scratches!

 

[meenahga]

The "scratches" appear as more of a very slight haziness in the clearcoat. I was at an auto store today, looking at polishing compounds, but I don't know what they may do to the finish. From what I have been able to gather, the polyester is a very durable finish and apparently can be buffed out nicely. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience removing a slight milkyness or haze on a well used guitar. Stew mac appears to make a couple of different compounds.

 

[tommyk]

use something like a g3 compound cutting paste (a bit like an exfoliating cream) to get scratches out then use finer rubbing paste's like t-cut..... ideally with a buffing wheel to bring up to a good deep shine. i have used this method to polish out buckle rash & pick marks before selling guitars to make em as new finish. always looks like new when done. also apply a good polish to seal the finish.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I've noticed the haziness on my Mystic Dream JP right below the high E string about the width of the space between the pickups. I thought I had more control of my pick than that but it's probably from hitting the pickup selector with pick still in playing position - I don't always use my pinky. Sometimes I just hit it with the side of my index finger...

It only shows up in some light/angles though. If you have good results with a certain product then let me know and I may do the same...

 

[meenahga]

I've noticed the haziness on my Mystic Dream JP right below the high E string about the width of the space between the pickups. I thought I had more control of my pick than that but it's probably from hitting the pickup selector with pick still in playing position - I don't always use my pinky. Sometimes I just hit it with the side of my index finger...

It only shows up in some light/angles though. If you have good results with a certain product then let me know and I may do the same...

I ended up using "Perfect-it II" by 3M, an automotive polishing compound, and I finished it with Zymol original cleaner wax. Excellent results. I hand rubbed/ buffed the "perfect-it" on in a back-n-forth motion and the hazyness came off nicely. The finish with the Zymol, left the guitar like new. I have also seen the results with 3M Finesse-It II Finishing Material, and that looked great as well.

 

[spkirby]

Did you use a special cloth or sponge to apply the compounds / do the polishing?

 

[meenahga]

I used an old clean cotton T-shirt cut up into wash cloth size rags.