sktn77a Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Hi all: I have a one year old Gibson Les Paul Studio in white. My son has been playing it and there's a reddish stain on the top front edge of the lower bout (presumably from the inside of his right arm/shirt). Have no idea what it is. I've tried water, soap, but to no avail. I didn't want to get into alcohol or anything stronger before checking with the experts here regarding what I can us to clean off the stain from the (nitrocellulose laquer?) white paint. Please, don't make recommendations you haven't tried! Thanks
KL Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Hmmm . . . that could be tricky. I would get some advice from an expert luthier on that. Of course there are a few experts on here, so you may get a more useful reply. What I would say is don't do anything to it until you have that expert advice!
BigKahune Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Hmmm . . . that could be tricky. ... To say the least. White is beautiful but brutally infamous for picking up dye/stain from fabric - even from case linings in original Gibson cases. I hope you have some luck with it.
sktn77a Posted April 20, 2010 Author Posted April 20, 2010 Thanks guys. Yes, I got the same suggestion from that "other forum" ;-) But I don't think it's the case - I have a white lining case (but don't keep it in the case anyway). Major mystery and major bummer!
JCF Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Try contacting Gibson customer service. They're usually really good and quick with answers
sktn77a Posted April 20, 2010 Author Posted April 20, 2010 Thanks, I did that today. They suggested taking it to a luthier and having it buffed out. Unfortunately there's nobody who can do that close to where I live.
yoda Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 I have no idea how to get it out. Personally, I would not worry about it.
Nick Beach Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Thanks' date=' I did that today. They suggested taking it to a luthier and having it buffed out. Unfortunately there's nobody who can do that close to where I live.[/quote'] I feel like banging my head against a wall because I know there is a guy in Raleigh that can do it, but I can't for the life of me remember his name. Look up Blues Master Guitars in Durham, It's a store but the owner also makes custom guitars so I'm sure he could buff it out for you for a small charge. It should be somewhat close to you. Or if you want a little drive, go to Fayetteville there is a guy there named Brad Muffett, I'd trust him with ANYTHING guitar related. He retired as a repair man from Edwards Music there in town and now has his own shop on North Riley Rd called The Guitar Shop. I decided to get the links for you... http://www.bluesmasterguitars.com/ http://www.guitarshopnc.com/ As for the guy in Raleigh that I can't remember the name of, call the Guitar Center in Raleigh and ask them, anytime they don't have a part they will recommend you to that guy's shop.
NeoConMan Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 Yeah, naptha is basically a mild solvent. Dries pretty quick, so it's not in contact with the finish long enough to damage it. Never done it on a white guitar though. I say go to a pro.
KL Posted April 21, 2010 Posted April 21, 2010 Doesn't Axe suggest using lighter fluid to remove stains? It is useful for removing stains BUT I think in this case this might be a little more than a stain. It may be that the red colour has leeched deeper into the finish, so I'm with Neo on this . . . it's a job for a pro.
Xinnix Posted April 21, 2010 Posted April 21, 2010 Have you tried Plain white Vinegar mixed with water?
sktn77a Posted April 21, 2010 Author Posted April 21, 2010 No, I haven't tried vinegar. I guess this should be pretty harmless on a nitro finish.
Xinnix Posted April 21, 2010 Posted April 21, 2010 No' date=' I haven't tried vinegar. I guess this should be pretty harmless on a nitro finish. [/quote'] I think straight vinegar sitting to long in one place could possibly do some damage. It is about 5% acidic. But a little mixed with water and wiped off relatively soon won't it hurt at all. I also know that vinegar is a great way to clean your strings!
duane v Posted April 21, 2010 Posted April 21, 2010 My white LPC had blue stains from being stored in the case for 19 years or so..... My Luthier had to use jeweler's rouge, a rubbing compound and a buffing wheel to get it all out. Take it to a Luthier
sktn77a Posted April 25, 2010 Author Posted April 25, 2010 Well, I used a little fine auto rubbing compound and it didn't have any effect so I don't think it's a surface stain. I'm beginning to think the paint has just worn thin. Trouble is the guitar has hardly been played so it shouldn't have.
cwness Posted April 25, 2010 Posted April 25, 2010 Can you post a pic so we can see what your talking about. It is kind of hard to give advice without seeing it. CW
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