Some surface abrasions can be buffed out with polishing compounds, and
most kinds of finishes (but not all) can be touched up, amalgamated or
otherwise repaired to deal with more significant surface damage. A good
first step would be to find out what type of finish and finishing
technique was used on the instrument: a hand-applied french polish is a
very different touch-up problem from a sprayed-on polyester, for
instance. A guitar repair shop that specializes in refinishing and
restoration might be a better source of advice than most individual
luthiers, though; repair shops see a much wider variety of instrument
finishes--and finish problems--than most instrument makers would be
familiar with.
One note of caution: finish restoration is tricky work, and
do-it-yourself attempts often makes things worse...
regards to all,
Mark
On 5/10/2013 1:18 PM, Christopher Stetson wrote:
Hi, Toby, Joshua, and all.
I wouldn't recommend steel wool. Could only make it worse. It depends
whether you're dealing with scuffs on the finish or dents ("dings") in
the wood. These would require different treatment. If it is a quality
guitar, you also want to be careful doing anything to the finish, as
that is a part of the construction process and contributes to the
sound. Refinishing properly would need the attention of a luthier.
You could try just an application of an instrument polish, and write
the finish imperfections off as "patina" (or "mojo" as the blues
afficionados like to call it.).
I'd also say that there are many levels of guitar that are labelled
"handmade in Mexico", from actually good instruments to complete
wallhangers. That said, though, a good part of a guitar's quality
depends on how you feel about it.
Why not take it to a luthier and ask?
Best to all,
Chris.
On Fri, May 10, 2013 at 1:01 PM, Tobiah <[1][email protected]> wrote:
On 05/09/2013 05:05 PM, Joshua E. Horn wrote:
Hi everyone,
I have a question regarding dings and scuff marks on stringed
instruments. Lutes are delicate so I figured this would kind of
apply for other stringed instruments. I've got a really, really old
Classical Guitar that sadly... my brother has borrowed several
times, over time it has been dinged up. I'm unhappy, because the
Guitar was handmade (no brand) in Mexico. I HOPE there is a way to
get these marks off. If anyone knows how to get scuff marks off of
an instrument's finish, PLEASE let me know!!
Maybe something like this?
[2]http://tinyurl.com/d9vhpam
Tobiah
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References
1. mailto:[email protected]
2. http://tinyurl.com/d9vhpam
3. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
