Official Luthiers Forum!

What would be the suggested method for removing or buffing out a fine scratch in the finish of anEbony headstock overlay? Is there a product on the market (without silicone of course!) I could buy for this and other fine scratches? Also what is the polish of choice these days for high end guitars? Thanks for your expertise!

The typical solution would be to wet sand and buff, but it raises questions
like what instrument this is (a recently built, gloss lacquer finished
headstock for example would differ from a satin finished Martin 15-series
or a Seagull, etc.), and how deep the scratches are. Then, wether to sand
and buff, or if it can simply be rubbed out with some grade of Meguiars is
a choice to be made at the judgment and discretion of the person
working on it.

If it's a new instrument going to a customer I would say sand and buff it
out. If it's a guitar that is already owned and being played I would say
don't do anything at all.

As to polishes, I like Meguiars #9 for a light cleaning and rubbing
compound, and Dunlop 65 polish, but there are plenty of other good
ones to choose from.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

I also use rubbing compound and McGuiars #7 and #9.

 For finish polishing to get the high luster, I have found that the McGuiars plastic polish does wonders. It is the stuff that is supposed to bring fogged plastic headlight lenses back to clear again. Works pretty good on nitro.

 

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Reguards,

Ken H

As for polish what I use is what Mario recommended to us a few years ago and it works great - Mequiars "Quik Detailer" - it's also available many places and easy to find.

I haven't been able to find Mequiars locally but have had good luck with 3M Hand Glaze show car finish. No wax or silicones.

Cecil

I like Micro Mesh...you can make bare wood shine like it has a finish on it...Mequiers and Novus are also good.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"