Spot refinishing guitar soundboard

Subject: Spot refinishing of a bass guitar soundboard
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 22 May 07 - 09:39 PM

Okay, so I've got this great acoustic bass. And, I've got an insane, neurotic cattle dog who insists on being loved while I am playing. Cattle dog paws the bass and makes three nice scratches (in the finish only, not the wood beneath). Is it possible to sand them out and refinish just this spot? How heavy a cinderblock, and what length of rope do I need for the cattle dog? Anybody have some tips? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing of a guitar soundboard
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 May 07 - 04:29 AM

On a good guitar this is not a DIY job.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing of a guitar soundboard
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 07 - 08:31 AM

A complete answer would be a book, not a quick comment.
A lot depends on what the finish is, French Polish, Oiled, Polyurethane Varnish, Cellulose, Acrylic etc. etc.
The only thing I would recommend you try before you get professional help would be a gentle rub over with a car type rubbing compound- T Cut or similar.
If it needs more than that, it's beyond amateur repair
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing of a guitar soundboard
From: Mooh
Date: 23 May 07 - 08:36 AM

Agreed.

A look at www.frets.com might be helpful, Frank Ford is a hero among guitar folk.

If the scratches are fairly light, they might just buff out. Find a local luthier for advice and service. I've a frined who builds for a living and he's done exactly this repair for me a couple of times as I don't have a buffing wheel.

As for the dog, you're on your own with training.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing of a guitar soundboard
From: Peace
Date: 23 May 07 - 09:37 AM

Take it to a pro.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing of a guitar soundboard
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 May 07 - 09:47 AM

Just leave them as honourable battle scars.

eric

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing of a guitar soundboard
From: EBarnacle
Date: 23 May 07 - 11:01 AM

DO NOT USE POLYURETHANE! Is that loud enough? Polyurethane may look good initially but, when it fails, all of it will have to be removed, usually by mechanical means--sanding, heat gun, etc. If you must remove the varnish, use a good urethane free spar varnish which can be removed by varnish remover or alcohol.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing of a guitar soundboard
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 May 07 - 02:35 PM

Well thank you Jecknik, but what will it do for the finish on my soundboard?

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 24 May 07 - 10:50 AM

Thanks for the good advice and links. Perhaps the best advice is that it is not DIY. So, of course, that is the advice I will ignore. Gonna take a stab at it (done a lot of woodworking and furniture refinishing in my day, and actually have a buffer).

Tested a bit of lacquer on one of the scratches, and it did not bubble the existing finish, and dried completely invisible.

Plan is to sand out scratches (luckily, they don't make it into the wood). Many coats of lacquer with steel wool between. Wet sand down to 600 grit, then buff with white rouge. Basically, I'll get it really mucked up, then take it to a pro.

Thanks again people.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: Jim Lad
Date: 24 May 07 - 11:52 AM

Allow me to reiterate.
Please, please please leave it alone.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 May 07 - 11:57 AM

You will want down to at least 2000 grit. Trust me, I worked in a car bodyshop for a summer when I was a student....

It is a big risk. But if you are determined to risk it (and you run the risk of turning a $50 job for a pro into a $500 job for a pro) then...

Try this first:

If the scratches are not through the existing finish, try polishing with brasso or non-chemical silver polish, and you may get most of the roughening to disappear.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: Bert
Date: 24 May 07 - 01:08 PM

Don't WORRY about it!!!

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 24 May 07 - 01:38 PM

Thanks Richard. That is advice I will take.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: Jim Lad
Date: 24 May 07 - 01:43 PM

"Thanks Richard. That is advice I will take."

"Trust me, I worked in a car bodyshop for a summer when I was a student...."

I'm trying awful hard to follow the logic here.

Please, allow me to re-irritate.

At least take it to a body shop!

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 24 May 07 - 02:07 PM

It's not necessarily logic. It's ambition. Perhaps even hubris. Your concern is duly noted, and possibly entirely justified. As I said above, the very best advice is often not followed.

Perhaps I will post the results so that someone (not sure who) can enjoy a good "I toldja so".

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: Jim Lad
Date: 24 May 07 - 03:11 PM

That, my dear, is what we're trying to avoid.
Good luck.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 24 May 07 - 03:35 PM

I understand that. And, you probably are right. I simply tend to believe that I can do something until experience (and rarely warnings) prove otherwise -- as has certainly happened in the past, but not to the point of my death yet. Anyhow, thanks.

Subject: RE: Spot refinishing guitar soundboard
From: GUEST,van lingle
Date: 24 May 07 - 04:55 PM

Well, if your home repair doesn't work out at least you're on your way to having your own "Trigger", like Willie.