Get the scratch out

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Ilikewater
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Get the scratch out

Post by Ilikewater »

I recently bought an 82 Gibson Sonex on the cheap, and it is going to need a little love. Its a black finish with lots of little scratches in it. I'm wondering what the best course of action is for smoothing them out. This will remain a player, bur the stickers and scratches need to go.

The pups are also wired to only be on or off, but thats another thread. Any advice is welcome, thanks.
To be joyous is to be a mad man in a world filled with sad ghosts. - H. Miller
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C0ldf1re
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by C0ldf1re »

Polypropylene to remove stickers invisibly. I don't think scratches will ever fully go.
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Ilikewater
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Re: Get the scratch out

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I've read a little about scratch x and zymol treatment, but I am having a hard time pin pointing Paul's step by step on how to do this to a guitar. I need some cloth diapers and those two products, and hopefully I can start fixing this one up. I'll post pics. any one with a tut on the scratch x/zymol process?
To be joyous is to be a mad man in a world filled with sad ghosts. - H. Miller
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Ilikewater
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Re: Get the scratch out

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Bought the stuff, now I just need to know what im doing :lol:
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jingle_jangle
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by jingle_jangle »

C0ldf1re wrote:Polypropylene to remove stickers invisibly. I don't think scratches will ever fully go.
wtf cat.jpg

Jimmy, just try the SEARCH feature on this Forum; there have been many threads on this. Do not be afraid. It's not rocket science... :wink:
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Ilikewater
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Re: Get the scratch out

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I found some threads last night. I'm glad I did, I would have started with some circular motions and just attacked the guitar. Now, I think I have a better idea how to get them out. Perpendicular to the stratches, small spaces 1-2", and a lot of patience...and a little zymol goes a long way. The problem was getting a lot of threads that just mentioned what I was using rather than the method. Once I searched "remove"+"scratches" (go figure) at least two really good threads popped up. I'm using this Sonex as a test drive into guitar maintenance. I'm never really adjusted truss rods and the action myself. Just started intonating myself 14 years into playing, so I have a little catching up to do.
To be joyous is to be a mad man in a world filled with sad ghosts. - H. Miller
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Ilikewater
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by Ilikewater »

I've been working 80 hours a week, so I haven't had a chance to dive in just yet. However, I was researching the Sonex and found that it is made from a "resinwood" (stupid Gibson portmanteau). This not being pure wood or pure plastic does this affect the process or equipment?
To be joyous is to be a mad man in a world filled with sad ghosts. - H. Miller
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scotty
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by scotty »

Anne hates the smell of Scratch X and zymol ive been told if i use it again in the house im done for :roll:
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johnallg
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by johnallg »

scotty wrote:Anne hates the smell of Scratch X and zymol ive been told if i use it again in the house im done for :roll:
Choose your weekend, send her out of town...... :lol: :lol: :lol: :twisted:
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jingle_jangle
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by jingle_jangle »

Ilikewater wrote:I've been working 80 hours a week, so I haven't had a chance to dive in just yet. However, I was researching the Sonex and found that it is made from a "resinwood" (stupid Gibson portmanteau). This not being pure wood or pure plastic does this affect the process or equipment?
Sonex is a mixture of resin and sawdust--sort of a higher-tech MDF...

It's not the substrate, however, but the paint itself that you'll be shining up. If, however, this is the Sonex surface instead of paint (I'm not up on this material), it's probably going to be a good deal more work to get it looking like new, involving using a buffing wheel instead of ol' elbow grease.

A urethane or nitrocellulose finish on this instrument will accept the Scratch-X / Zymol well, and show good results. Polyester is much harder, and a raw resinwood surface is harder still. The last two will require wheel buffing.
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by jingle_jangle »

scotty wrote:Anne hates the smell of Scratch X and zymol ive been told if i use it again in the house im done for :roll:
Scratch-X does have a petroleum smell. Zymol is all natural oils, and smells pleasant.

I think it's more likely the time and devotion that she's losing to your Ricks, Scotty... :(
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scotty
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by scotty »

Maybe i should ask her if she needs some Zymo...... Nah best not :lol:
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jingle_jangle
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by jingle_jangle »

Now, Scotty, don't shine her on!!! :mrgreen:
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jps
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by jps »

scotty wrote:Maybe i should ask her if she needs some Zymo...... Nah best not :lol:
Yeah, she might just give you a shiner. :shock:
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ram
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Re: Get the scratch out

Post by ram »

Never know - she might like a good rub-down :D
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