Polish (and wax?) recommendations for purple Polyurethane paint finish with spider web scratching

[MrGreedy]

Hi all,

As per the new purchases thread, I've acquired a used guitar.

It's got some light scuffing/scratching on the body paintwork. I guess I'd describe this as spider web scratching, and it's sufficiently light that I can't feel any of the scratching.

I've looked online on dedicated forums, and the recommendations are all over the place, but keep coming back to Meguiars products (is that maybe because Meguiars is the most 'famous' car detailing brand?).

I know from car detailing advice when using a DA, you would ideally start with the least aggressive polish with very low cut, and then move more and more aggressive if that doesn't remove the scratching.

I'll be doing this by hand, but I have no experience of a Polyurethane finish, vs the paint on my E class.

Should I have a go with Meguiars ultimate polish with a small foam applicator pad?

Would Autoglym Super Resin Polish be better?

Or are there better alternatives?

I like the idea of a polish that breaks down and gets finer as you work it on the surface.

Is Polyurethane going to be rock hard and I need something more aggressive? Or should I use a solvent-based polish?

And after mirror polishing, can I slap on some of my hybrid ceramic wax that I use on my Merc for great water beading

 

[rf065]

All you will do is remove the clear coat finish, the stuff used on guitars is nothing like you get on a car. I gently rubbed some scratches with T Cut before, it just stripped the polyurethane off in a couple of seconds of very light use.

 

[MrGreedy]

I've got Poor Boys Black Hole.
Will this be a gentle enough product to have a chance of polishing out the faint scratches maybe?

 

[MrGreedy]

Maybe CarPro Essence with a soft pad

CarPro - Essence Gloss Primer

CarPro - Essence Gloss Enhancer CarPro Essence is a unique blend of nano-tech Quartz, high gloss durable resins, and fine abrasives that are blended together at a microscopic level to form something truly ground breaking! CarPro Essence leaves an amazing high gloss finish with semi-permanent fill

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

I'm thinking anything more abrasive than a glaze for a first try could be a bit of a risk!

 

[SpikyMikey]

Autoglym Super Resin Polish has fillers in it to hide minor swirl marks. Might be worth a go.

 

[SpikyMikey]

alternatively, use the stuff designed for it
Guitar Care | Guitar Cleaner | Lemon Oil | Guitar Polish | Fretboard Oil |

 

[chic0821]

Just my twopenny worth, I used Autosol on the centre console woodwork (or whatever it is) on my Range Rover to remove light scratches. Removed really quickly. Back to as new

 

[SpikyMikey]

Just my twopenny worth, I used Autosol on the centre console woodwork (or whatever it is) on my Range Rover to remove light scratches. Removed really quickly. Back to as new

Toothpaste works well on some substrates too...for that minty fresh finish.

 

[MrGreedy]

I've got some dedicated products for cleaning the body and cleaning/oiling the fretboard, but the body polishing/waxing seems to be a poor choice of either harsh abrasive cutting compounds at £5 for 30ml, or non-abrasive waxes.

The general consensus on guitar forums seems to be the automotive products are much more researched/mature, more consistent and better value than the dedicated guitar products for doing paint correction.

I do have Autosol I can try, and I'm sure I can dig out a tube of toothpaste to try that as well.

 

[chic0821]

I do have Autosol I can try

I put it on a microfibre cloth, bit of medium pressure rubbing, came up great.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Enjoy the patina - you have to pay for it to be relic’d!

 

[MrGreedy]

A valid option buddy.
I do want to give it a bit of a polish attempt though. I think I'll try the stuff I have at home already, and see if there is an improvement. This thread is to seek advice ahead of time. I'll be able to take the strings off and give it a proper clean in a couple of weeks time.

It does have one small chip on the edge, showing the wood beneath (4mm circle approx).

I'm going to get an OPI nail varnish to give it a touch up. I was even thinking of taking it into a nail bar to see if they had an appropriate shade that they could slap on for 20 quid. They will know how to handle nail lacquer. Surprisingly, it's not something I use regularly.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Likely story!!