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How to save my Guitar's finish?


isarleiche

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Posted

Hey Community!

 

For 3 Weeks now, I am the pround owner of a Gibson Les Paul Junior, but i already have a problem.

The finish of my guit (http://goo.gl/1jPN8) is a nitrocellulose one. At least it says in the description :D, but

mine already has really evil-looking scratches. I made some photos to show you the scratches and one to show how it should look like normally.

Is there anything I can do to make it look as perfect as it was or is this just normal?

 

thanks in advance

 

Isar

post-30091-047146900 1295980791_thumb.jpg

post-30091-008427300 1295980889_thumb.jpg

Posted

Hey Community!

 

For 3 Weeks now, I am the pround owner of a Gibson Les Paul Junior, but i already have a problem.

The finish of my guit (http://goo.gl/1jPN8) is a nitrocellulose one. At least it says in the description :D, but

mine already has really evil-looking scratches. I made some photos to show you the scratches and one to show how it should look like normally.

Is there anything I can do to make it look as perfect as it was or is this just normal?

 

thanks in advance

 

Isar

Hi there, nice choice, I see you have the AC4 also. I also have some small scuffs on mine down on the bottom edge, just next to the socket, I dont know what kind of polish is best though. I assume that Gibson polish would be best.....?, also are you aware of the possible issue with rubber foam padding on the guitar stands perhaps reacting badly with your guitars finish? Just cover the foam padding with a cotton cloth to stop it contacting the nitro finish. Enjoy the junior, I am absolutely loving mine!!

Posted

You could advertise your relic'ing services and make some extra money

for your next guitar. Another week of strumming like that and it'll

have a good vintage look to it. Keep on playing. [biggrin]

Posted

I hate to use the "F Word" here, but Fender does have an excellent finish care system, made in conjunction with MacGuiars. Has a cleaning solution, a polishing solution, and a buffing compound all in one package. It's worked beautifully for me. Gibson also has a multi-stage cleaning polishing system. The main advantage there (could be) is that it is formulated specially for nitro finishes. I've had both and found the Fender stuff to be my favorite.

Some good quality polish and some elbow grease should take out those little scratches. Personally, I don't worry about 'play marks' that much, they're easily fixed. I am very careful with my guitars, however! You will not find grungy strings or frets, sweat more than one gig old, or 'buckle rash' on ANY of my guitars that were bought new! Normal finish wear is OK, it just shows that it's a working instrument. But I still like my axes to look stunning, at the start of the show anyway!

Posted

I hate to use the "F Word" here, but Fender does have an excellent finish care system, made in conjunction with MacGuiars. Has a cleaning solution, a polishing solution, and a buffing compound all in one package. It's worked beautifully for me. Gibson also has a multi-stage cleaning polishing system. The main advantage there (could be) is that it is formulated specially for nitro finishes. I've had both and found the Fender stuff to be my favorite.

Some good quality polish and some elbow grease should take out those little scratches. Personally, I don't worry about 'play marks' that much, they're easily fixed. I am very careful with my guitars, however! You will not find grungy strings or frets, sweat more than one gig old, or 'buckle rash' on ANY of my guitars that were bought new! Normal finish wear is OK, it just shows that it's a working instrument. But I still like my axes to look stunning, at the start of the show anyway!

Poly finshes...hm

I could piss a on a fender and it would shine....id piss on a gibson and the nitro would fade away. [lol]

Posted

All my Strats have nitro finishes.

Most guitar companies that went poly did so for cost reasons, the EPA and other entities made using nitro-cellulose finishes too expensive. Once newer, less expensive air scrubbing systems came available, some returned to nitro for at least some of their axes. When I think 'poly' I can't help but think of those thick, heavy finishes in the 70's/80's that wouldn't allow the wood to breathe or age properly. Even PRS is using more nitro now, tho it is blended with poly for toughness.

I can't recall ever pissing on any of my guitars. Not intentionally anyway!

Posted

I dont think even Jimi did that to the ones he set alight, some respect for the beautiful instrument would be nice.....

Wouldnt be suprised if he did.

When your high, you do some stupid ****.

Posted

Ya beat me to that one, Demoon!

That's why I said 'intentionally' and 'don't recall' on mine, a lot of the late 70's to mid '80's is rather foggy! I have a lot more respect for my guitars, and body, now.

Among the worst things I did when high was sell or trade guitars that are now worth a small (or not-so-small!) fortune! Among the casualties- several '60's Strats, a '61 SG/Les Paul Custom 3 pickup, a '57 Goldtop and a '60 Standard. That '60 alone would pay off my house with enough left over for some nice Custom Shop jobs! Damn!

Posted

Ya beat me to that one, Demoon!

That's why I said 'intentionally' and 'don't recall' on mine, a lot of the late 70's to mid '80's is rather foggy! I have a lot more respect for my guitars, and body, now.

Among the worst things I did when high was sell or trade guitars that are now worth a small (or not-so-small!) fortune! Among the casualties- several '60's Strats, a '61 SG/Les Paul Custom 3 pickup, a '57 Goldtop and a '60 Standard. That '60 alone would pay off my house with enough left over for some nice Custom Shop jobs! Damn!

I would of cried if i sold any of those, the 60's standard must of been amazing...that goldtop to.

Posted

I will try to find some old performance pics of them since I didn't have pics taken of the guitars themselves. Heck, they were just 'old guitars' back then, the vintage craze was still a way off. I bought the '61 SG/LP Custom and the '60 LP Standard from a small local shop the day after we got signed, $1200 for the pair in '79! Both were in great shape and great voice. The '60's finish was starting to fade nicely and show it's flame a bit more. Running that beauty wide open thru my old 50 watt Plexi and an 8x10 cab....I STILL remember that sound! Just crushing.

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