Abrasions on a pickguard
Moderator: jingle_jangle
Abrasions on a pickguard
I'm looking at a seventies guitar that has lost the shine around the control knobs. It looks like someone used an abrasive material to clean around the control knobs and as such have taken the shine right off. It really doesn't look like scratches, it looks more like whatever they used just took the finish off. The surface still feels smooth. I would post a photograph but I can't capture this using my digital camera. Is there any polish or wax or something that I might try to restore the original luster?
The world is made of stories not atoms and every guitar has a story.
-
BlueAngel
Re: Abrasions on a pickguard
"T-Cut" (car paint restorer/polish, if it's called something different in the US) is excellent. You will need to take the guard off the guitar and all the controls off it so you can work on it on a flat surface, and you'll need to put in a fair amount of work, but it does give great results.
-
jingle_jangle
- RRF Moderator
- Posts: 22679
- Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:00 am
- Contact:
Re: Abrasions on a pickguard
"T-Cut" (as it's known in the UK) is known as plain ol' rubbing compound here in the States. It's finer than USA compounds, though.
Unfortunately, the generic rubbing compound sold here (DuPont 44 and the like) is far too abrasive for guitar work. Choose instead 3M Perfect-it Hand or Machine Fine Compound, or you can try any number of plastic polishes with abrasives, like Novus. Auto parts stores are also carrying plastic polishes.
If you've got a plastics supply house in your necka the woods, they often do fabrication with acrylic, and will have buffing capabilities. This is literally 30 seconds' work with a pedestal buffer. Pull the guard and remove the pots and switch and take it in. This is by far the best option.
Unfortunately, the generic rubbing compound sold here (DuPont 44 and the like) is far too abrasive for guitar work. Choose instead 3M Perfect-it Hand or Machine Fine Compound, or you can try any number of plastic polishes with abrasives, like Novus. Auto parts stores are also carrying plastic polishes.
If you've got a plastics supply house in your necka the woods, they often do fabrication with acrylic, and will have buffing capabilities. This is literally 30 seconds' work with a pedestal buffer. Pull the guard and remove the pots and switch and take it in. This is by far the best option.