So I stuffed up, nothing new

Nitebob

A repair I did on my first guitar using the drop method, with a waterbased varnish didn't go too bad. My sanding method however left a lot to be desired and faded the finish around the repair. No matter how I buff, I can't seem to bring the lustre back.

Is there any other way than to strip down and refinish?

AlanRatcliffe

Not all finishes are created equal. Some just don't cure hard enough to buff up to high gloss - especially some of the water-based finishes. Anyway, water-based finishes are coalescing rather than evaporative, so they never blend properly when used for touchups (or as the original finish you're trying to touch up) - you always have a visible edge to the repair. I've also had the opposite, where the softer, original nitro wouldn't buff up as well as the new layer.

Colour, I'd probably airbrush a corrective layer. Then matte a larger area around it and put a coat of finish over the top that I know I can buff up properly when it is cured. I've even done it with CYA before (cures quickly, bonds to any finish and cures hard).

peterleroux

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I've even done it with CYA before (cures quickly, bonds to any finish and cures hard).

As in superglue? I'm about to finish a fretless board with some, seems to be a simple, hard, cheap finish that is easy to work with

Nitebob

What I was thinking too Alan, always good to get a second opinion! Thanks again!

@Peter. It was so small (the repair) I actually only used varnish on it, waited for it to harden, another coat etc.

Nitebob

@Alan, can one not give the entire top a light sand, and then a coat of finish? To ensure uniformity...

AlanRatcliffe

peterleroux wrote: As in superglue? I'm about to finish a fretless board with some, seems to be a simple, hard, cheap finish that is easy to work with

Yeah - the same. I've used it for fretless fingerboards too, works well for that (bar application). It's wonderful for drop fills - especially when you've got some poly or other inert finish to fill.

The biggest problem in using it for any kind of finishing is cleaning equipment (or rather, having to throw equipment away because you can't clean it properly). You mess up spraying equipment (plus any condensation in the line is catastrophic) and brushes are - as always - too uneven. For fingerboards I found spreading it with film plastic and sanding it with radiused blocks worked best.

Nitebob wrote: @Alan, can one not give the entire top a light sand, and then a coat of finish? To ensure uniformity...

Yup. That's often the best way to do it IMO.

Nitebob

Thanx again Alan, followed your advice and she's looking very good, will be even better after another coat or two...however....and I'm sorry to keep nagging for advice...

I have this light patch where the pick guard used to be. I bought pick guards from 3 different shops and they are all smaller.... ???

Any idea where I can get either a custom pickguard, bigger pickgaurd, or else a Gibson style pickgaurd ? for my Cort.

The finish came out so nice, I considered getting a clear pickguard for the light patch, but even that was too small...

Thx again all

AlanRatcliffe

Ah. If it's oversize, you may need to order one or have a luthier make you one.

AlanRatcliffe

..of course, you can just order a blank from Stewmac and cut it to size yourself...

Nitebob

Thanx Alan ?