How Do I Repair Scuffs in Poly

[ejko]

I bought a new poly finished Warmoth Tele thinline body  from a private party on  line.  They shipped it in a cardboard box with protection only on the top side.  When I hold the back side at certain angles, i can see areas of 'scuffs' about 1" long in four places around the periphery of the guitar which I assume came from rubbing against the cardboard.  I tried using auto clear coat polishing compound by hand followed by cleaner/wax, but they are still there.

Any suggestions on how I can get rid of these short of recoating the guitar body?  Would it help if I used a buffing wheel in my electric drill?

Thanks!

ejko

 

[dmraco]

I am going to sit back on this on.  Poly is tough stuff.  I have tried 0000 steel wool to get out scratches, then rubbing compound, then polishing compound.  Still had some minor swirl marks.

I am sure there is a better method and am interest in hearing it.

 

[bpmorton777]

it's kind of ironic that the box that it was packed in could make scratches in it but nothing will get them out. might have to go with sand paper of increasing number then buffing to get out the scratches. you might start with 400 wet/dry and go up to 1500 or 2000 and then buff it out. I recall someone else had this same problem a long a couple of years back on this forum.

Brian

 

[dmraco]

i have always used a power buffer when finishing a build.  I am sure warmoth does the same on their finishes.  It is less than ideal on a complete guitar.

Can you post a photo of what you are talking about?

 

[GoDrex]

I bet some kind of micro-mesh stuff would work...

maybe something like these things:

http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/micro_gloss.htm

 

[ejko]

I tried taking photos as suggested but I couldn't get the scuffs to show up.  This is weird.  You can't really feel them with a fingernail, but rotate the body in the light and several 'dull' areas show up.

I too was thinking I might try micromesh.  Anyone tried it on poly?  Only concern is that it seems to have the potential to dull the poly finish also.

One more thought... anyone tried Renaissance Wax?  Supposed to be super stuff with extremely fine micro particles.  I suspect if I use it and it doesn't work, I've taken out the option of an additional coat of poly.

Thoughts, experiences, etc. appreciated.

ejko

 

[blue313]

Ive tried Micro Mesh on a poly Epiphone LP Studio.  They worked well enough, but I still needed to compound it afterwards to really get the gloss back.  I can see how a power buffer would make short work of this.

 

[Watershed]

Ive tried Micro Mesh on a poly Epiphone LP Studio.  They worked well enough, but I still needed to compound it afterwards to really get the gloss back.  I can see how a power buffer would make short work of this.

Same here.  I was buffing out a scratch in a Fender body, and used the 3M flexible polishing papers.
I got most of the scratch out, but was left with a dull finish.
I used some 3M glazing compound which brought the shine right back.

 

[-CB-]

plain old crest toothpast will polish out poly

think of what it does to your teeth!

go down to the auto store and get some TURTLE white compound - takes out fine to medium

if you get some MOTHERS aluminum polish, it will take out the rougher stuff, but you'll need to use some white compound over it to get out the swirl

 

[ejko]

Thanks for all the great ideas (Crest toothpaste!).

I'll re-try the Turtle Wax polishing compound... maybe I didn't rub hard enough when I originally tried it.


ejko