Best way to maintain a gloss finish?

[Kippa-Dee]

Greetings guys.

I played a Warwick Streamer Special, and it's been painted in a deep red gloss.
I've meticulously maintained her, meaning every time strings are changed she gets a good soaking of Dr. Duck's Axe Wax and a good polish, the fretboard gets a good load as well to stop it drying up. After every session I wipe down the strings, and wipe down the entire body top to tail with a microfibre cloth, and don't touch her as she goes into the case. This she never has evil finger grease or skin oils on her for more than 6 hours a day. In fact, most of the gigs we play I end up wearing a largish Metallica sweatband on right hand which stops even my wrist rubbing against the finish... but not so at rehearsals.

Anyway, does any member have any suggestion how to remove the plethora of scratches all over her? Obviously I understand scratches are a given, but in some lights she just looks ancient and badly scratched, while in others she looks absolutely brand new... Is there a way to preserve the gloss finish without it tarnishing, or to get her resprayed in a plain woodgrain 'matt' finish which won't scratch as bad?

Cheers

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Kippa-Dee

Greetings guys.
Anyway, does any member have any suggestion how to remove the plethora of scratches all over her? Obviously I understand scratches are a given, but in some lights she just looks ancient and badly scratched, while in others she looks absolutely brand new... Is there a way to preserve the gloss finish without it tarnishing, or to get her resprayed in a plain woodgrain 'matt' finish which won't scratch as bad?

Cheers

First, check to see if the scratches are actually in the finish and not just scratches in the wax. Try removing the wax. Mineral spirits (paint thinner) will dissolve wax and be safe on your finish. If the scratches are in the finish they can probably be buffed out using one of the automotive buffing compounds available in your area. You could do this by hand yourself, or take it to a pro to do using a machine

Find out what is causing so many scratches. I can understand scratches in portions of the body that get a lot of wear, but if they are all over the bass, something's wrong. Is the microfiber cloth causing this? I'd just use a clean and soft cotton cloth for waxing and wiping it down. You shouldn't need to wax very often.

You could probably get it sprayed with a clear matte coat over the finish, but it will change the look of your bass. It'll also scratch just as easily although it may not show up as much.

I had a 1991 Ernie Ball Musicman in gloss black that I played a lot for more than 10 years. When I sold it the finish looked almost new with only a bit of wear from buttons and belt buckles on the back and some wear on the pickguard from my thumb when playing. All I ever did to maintain it was maybe 3 waxings over the years with a furniture paste wax and occasional cleaning with a damp cotton cloth.