Buffing out a matte guitar

Subject: Tech: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: John Hardly
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 01:26 PM

I know this subject has come up over here several times. I thought I'd post a link here to a very well done photo essay that walks you through the process.

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 02:19 PM

Thanks for the link, John. I've considered buffing out my wife's 00-15. Now I may have the nerve to do it. Normal wear from playing has buffed out parts of it anyway so why not make it look the same all over? I have only seen one of the "old" 15 series Martins from back in the 60's and the finish on it looked very similar to the final results in the photos - more like a rubbed tung oil finish than lacquer.

However, I would be a little concerned about buffing affecting the guitar's resale value. The 00-15's not going anywhere so I can do anything I want to it. I also have a J12-15 that I don't play much and may sell or trade someday. I don't think I'll mess with it. And Taylor's putting satin on some not-so-cheap guitars that I definitely wouldn't want to mess with unless I was absolutely certain of a lifetime commitment.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: John Hardly
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 02:20 PM

You're talking about the possibility of voiding warranty?

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 03:22 PM

Not so much voiding the warranty as, say, a music store wanting to knock money off of the trade-in value if you ever want to trade toward something else. I would suspect some stores would treat it as a refinished guitar which seems to always be a minus when an appraisal's done. Convincing someone that it is the original finish just buffed out could be a problem.

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: DonMeixner
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 05:25 PM

Add to this the notion that some finishes are not designed to be buffed out.

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: open mike
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 05:28 PM

thread creep: I had a disaster happen to my vintage martin...
it got damp at night around the campfire, then put in case
and the sunshine warmed it up inside the vehicle. when i
opened the case it had gone white in some big spots on top.
some faded when it dried out, but some have stayed...how
to fix this??!! there was moisture in the case and it got
steamed into the finish i guess...help!! i am heart borken
...broken even...

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 05:34 PM

Ummm... That stuff is for cars no?

No way in hell would I EVER think of putting automotive chemicals on the face of any of my guitars...

Maybe I'm just not in the know, but it seems to me, if ya wanna 'buff out' a satin finish, why not use the same lacquer as any other luthier?

I donno... the whole thing strikes me as a really stupid thing to do...

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: John Hardly
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 06:27 PM

you don't use the same laquer as on a guitar because you're not adding to the finish. You're merely buffing out the matte finish that's already there -- something that will happen over time whether or not you choose to do it as illustrated here.

I have a friend with a Martin 16 model (before they offered the gloss-top option. Without polish of any kind his guitar is (as Bruce put it so well) as though it has a tung oil, rubbed finish.

one good reason to do it -- matte finishes are noisy. If you record or mic the thing you hear every little swish swish of your arm or shirt sleeve on the guitar surface.

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: Lane
Date: 10 Jun 03 - 06:41 PM

Laurel,

Take your question to www.mimf.com and you'll be amazed at the resource... folks there can tell you exactly what to do, or not to do, with your Martin's finish problem

Lane

Subject: RE: Buffing out a matte guitar
From: Mudlark
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 12:08 PM

Lane...just a note of sympathy. Your story is exactly why I wish I could afford a "second" guitar as I am reluctant to even take my precious martin 016 out of the house when summer temps soar to 115 here.