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ryan mead

Joined: 19/06/05
Posts: 1375
Loc: Seoul

removing pick scratches from glossy electric guitar finish?
#952803 - 11/11/11 02:14 PM

Subject line says it all methinks:

It's an Ovation VXT, with no pickguard and a glossy finish. Can I do anything to get these out? (And no I didn't do it; I've just rescued this guitar.) They're not all the way through the finish so I imagine some kind of very light abrasive would do the trick, but I've no idea what I should use.

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http://ryanmead.net

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DaveFry

Joined: 28/07/10
Posts: 145

Re: removing pick scratches from glossy electric guitar finish? new

[Re: ryan mead]
#952805 - 11/11/11 02:19 PM

A light automotive cutting polish , but avoid any that contain silicon .
For very light scratches try toothpaste !

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Music is it's own reward .

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zenguitar
active member

Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7613
Loc: Devon

Re: removing pick scratches from glossy electric guitar finish? new

[Re: ryan mead]
#952807 - 11/11/11 02:25 PM

I would recommend Brasso for this. It's a little finer cut and less agressive than the automotive stuff. Great for restoring finishes. But work over the whole of the front as much as possible to avoid sanding dips in the finish, once polished they can be easily spotted.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

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ryan mead

Joined: 19/06/05
Posts: 1375
Loc: Seoul

Re: removing pick scratches from glossy electric guitar finish? new

[Re: ryan mead]
#953084 - 13/11/11 11:53 AM

Thanks guys! Especially Zen for the preventive heads-up on making a divot in the finish.

Got a bottle of Brasso right here! A few more questions:

1/ soft cotton cloth with the Brasso?
2/ Between the Brasso and the polish, clean it with white spirits?
3/ (I'm sure this one's been done to death but) which polish? Do I first have to divine what kind of finish is on the guitar?

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http://ryanmead.net

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zenguitar
active member

Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7613
Loc: Devon

Re: removing pick scratches from glossy electric guitar finish? new

[Re: ryan mead]
#953098 - 13/11/11 01:48 PM

I apply Brasso with soft kitchen roll, working in small circles and moving across the whole of the instrument. Once I've polished the whole of the surface I switch to a soft cotton cloth and buff the surface clean, again working in circular motions.

If it needs cleaning after, I use white spirits. But I don't use any other polish on my guitars. Just clean them with white spirit and buff with a yellow duster.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

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Gary_W

Joined: 18/10/06
Posts: 376

Re: removing pick scratches from glossy electric guitar finish? new

[Re: ryan mead]
#953219 - 14/11/11 10:39 AM

Very much appreciate this thread....

I don't 'do' relic-style guitars (an entirely personal choice I know but the idea of scratching and dinging a guitar on purpose offends me). Whatever I play, I like 'em shiney. I just bought a Tribute G+L Asat special from eBay that is pretty much ding-free but the finish has fine scratches all over which I don't like. This brasso trick sounds like just the thing and I shall give it a go.

Really lovely guitar, BTW. Over the moon with it. I know that is completely off topic but I just had to tell someone

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