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Got a new guitar I made come back after 3 weeks with 6/7 small dents half way along the back of the neck where it's been bumped against something.
He says they've been there since he got it back home, and I'm not going to argue whether they were there when he picked it up or not (I don't remember seeing any when I was doing final setup just before pickup, and he's fitted new tuners and a K & K since)
Finish is Enduro-Var (several good layers), well cured, and the dents are very shallow and small, but you can feel and see them.
I think the neck (bolt on) has to come off for finish removal, steaming the dents (mahogany) out as much as possible, complete sanding and more or less a complete re-spray before refitting.
Anyone got any better/different suggestions or helpful advice?

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Hey Colin, sorry to hear about the glue withdrawal..... Kidding of course.

I have a hunch that steaming with a wet rag against a dent and the flat paddle that comes with some Weller soldering guns might swell small dents through the varnish. I've done this with success if the dents are shallow.

It's place the hot paddle against the rag, wet on the dent, count a few seconds, remove the heat and repeat half a dozen times or so with waiting a minute in between sessions to let some swelling happen.

Since your plan is to remove the neck and refinish anyway what do you have to lose?

Good luck with the withdrawal, I plan of sleeping better tonight too.

May give it a try Hesh, as you say, nothing to lose. Itl be a bottle cap or spatula, rag and soldering iron if I do, no weller gun/paddle.
Hope you sleep better tonight, sweet dreams!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Guy married?

Yup

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Wedding rings are cruel to necks...

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Haans. I had a Kalamazoo with the finish all chipped on the rim below the neck joint, no other place. I could not figure out what caused it until I was playing, and slid up the neck and - BANG, hit it with my wedding ring. It happens Thanks.

GS

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

So the bad (and good) news is that cured Enduro Var seems completely impermeable to steam.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Use a push pin to break the finish in the dents, and add drops of water. It might swell on it's own, or might need some heat. Any way you do it, there's going to be a bit of finish repair needed.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Alex, thanks for the suggestion, but I'm sure cured Enduro Var will show witness lines, especially a satin finish - no chance of buffing them out, even if gloss might.
Neck's off and it will get a strip and refinish

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I've used EnduroVar for 5-6 kitchens, so far. I'll give it a try for guitar finish if I can get a break from cabinetry this winter. I'll be picking your brain for satin spraying, Colin!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

If you can find them, you're welcome!

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.