Polishing a guitar

jamesM
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Location: Victoria B. C.

Polishing a guitar Jan 16, 2020 12:28:28 GMT -5

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Post by jamesM on Jan 16, 2020 12:28:28 GMT -5

I have a yamaha nylon string that I've replaced so plan to sell. It's in good shape, no scratches or anything, but the back looks like somebody was playing it while wearing a rough sweater, lots of small swirl marks in the finish. I'm going to ask the same as I paid which is less than half of the new price so I don't think I'll have trouble selling it as is. But for some reason I want to experiment with it. Which finally brings me to the point. I have some automotive polishing compound (polishing not rubbing) and I'm wondering if I can use that on the guitar take away those swirls. I'm keen to try it but I'd rather not end up with an unfinished guitar.

RobertW
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Polishing a guitar Jan 16, 2020 16:15:16 GMT -5

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Post by RobertW on Jan 16, 2020 16:15:16 GMT -5

no
not unless the guitar has CLEARCOAT on it, car rubbing compound is too abrasive for acoustic guitar finishes.

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jamesM Elite Member Posts: 772 Location: Victoria B. C.	Polishing a guitar Jan 16, 2020 17:02:15 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by jamesM on Jan 16, 2020 17:02:15 GMT -5 RobertW, as I mentioned in my posting, I have polishing compound not rubbing compound. My understanding is that it's a lot less abrasive.

Deleted Deleted Member Posts: 0	Polishing a guitar Jan 16, 2020 17:25:50 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2020 17:25:50 GMT -5 You might look at the Music Nomad or the Lizard Spit lines of polishes and cleaners.

jamesM
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Posts: 772

Location: Victoria B. C.

Polishing a guitar Jan 19, 2020 18:27:20 GMT -5 TonyKgull likes this

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Post by jamesM on Jan 19, 2020 18:27:20 GMT -5

Thanks for the suggestions y'all. Took the guitar out of the bag today to have another look and think about what to do. It's been a while. I think it might have fixed itself a little right there in the bag because the swirls didn't seem quite so pronounced. That must be what happened, I'm sure it couldn't be anything to do with my faulty memory. Anyway, what I ended up doing was going over it with some car wax (mother's California gold). Just doing that made it look even better. So instead of damaging it I'm going to stop there. I'm still really keen to experiment though. Maybe I should get myself a real beater and see what I can do. Maybe even refinish it. Maybe my next thread will be titled, 'i completely wrecked a guitar, what can I do?'

seagullplayer
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Location: Southern Indiana
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Polishing a guitar Jan 19, 2020 22:44:33 GMT -5

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Post by seagullplayer on Jan 19, 2020 22:44:33 GMT -5

I wanted a glossier look to my Masterbilt AJ-45. I used 0000 steel wool.

I used toothpaste to remove an unwanted signature on my other Masterbilt after I bought it. That also brought out the shine. That might work to take swirls out.
Used a microfiber cloth (from the dollar store) and TP to rub the toothpaste in.

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Jim Supreme Member Posts: 1,939 Location: Port Hope, Ontario, Canada Playing guitar since: circa 1960	Polishing a guitar Jan 19, 2020 23:15:44 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Jim on Jan 19, 2020 23:15:44 GMT -5 I have used rubbing compound on some instruments that I built. I find it a lot less abrasive than steel wool. I used it for the final coat of lacquer.
	-1962 Martin D-21 -1950 Gibson LG1 -1958 Goya M-26 -1974 Yamaha FG75 high strung -A number of banjos, mandolins, Autoharps, ukuleles, dulcimers, mouth harps, a Tele clone and various other stuff. -I own a fiddle, but only play it when Maggie and the cats are all out of the house.

jamesM
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Posts: 772

Location: Victoria B. C.

Polishing a guitar Jan 20, 2020 10:21:03 GMT -5

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Post by jamesM on Jan 20, 2020 10:21:03 GMT -5

seagullplayer, I use 4/0 steel wool with wax as the final step in all my furniture building projects. I find that it evens out and tones down some of the glossiness of the finish. Which is why I didn't try it on the guitar where the gloss is desirable. Maybe I'll try it on the beater when I get it. As for the toothpaste. I used to make some silver jewelry and toothpaste was a popular way to shine up silver. Never thought of using it on wood though. Hmmm... I have a feeling that the beater is in for a beating. Jim, this is going back to my original post but did you use rubbing compound or polishing compound? I don't know very much about either but I always thought rubbing compound was quite course.

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Post by jamesM on Jan 16, 2020 12:28:28 GMT -5

Post by RobertW on Jan 16, 2020 16:15:16 GMT -5

Post by jamesM on Jan 16, 2020 17:02:15 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2020 17:25:50 GMT -5

Post by jamesM on Jan 19, 2020 18:27:20 GMT -5

Post by seagullplayer on Jan 19, 2020 22:44:33 GMT -5

Post by Jim on Jan 19, 2020 23:15:44 GMT -5

Post by jamesM on Jan 20, 2020 10:21:03 GMT -5

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