Your guitar has a catalyzed polymer finish. That's what Martin uses on all of their less expensive guitars now such as the X series and 15 series. It is not lacqer. It is a plastic and it's tough as nails. Unfortunately, it is also a bitch to do touchup repairs on because nothing will dissolve it so it can't be stripped off chemically. I would think your best solution would be to sand the affected area down until all scratches and gouges have been sanded out, mask off the undamaged area, and spray on a new coat of polymer.

Problem is finding a source for the catalyzed polymer finish! It's not commonly used in small shops, only by the big manufacturers like Martin and Taylor. So, none of the luthier's supply websites I've checked (International Luthier's Supply, Stewart Macdonald, Martin's 1833 shop) carry it. I have no idea whether anyone even markets a do-it-yourself portion of the stuff. For all I know you can only get it in 55 gallon drums. I'm sure that's how Martin buys it. Maybe if you sent them an email they could help you.

Bruce


I'd research it further for you, but I'm falling asleep.