Does anyone know how to repair a paint chip?

faulknersj · #1 03-30-2010, 09:19 PM

I have a chip in the paint of my Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass. Does anyone know how to fix this?

M0ses · #2 03-30-2010, 09:22 PM

Leave it. 30 years from now it's a vintage relic

swrbass5 · #3 03-30-2010, 09:38 PM

Peel it back further and rub some cigarette butts in it. I love some "Personality" in a bass. As long as it's REAL Personality, not some distressed custom.

heath_r_91 · #4 03-30-2010, 09:41 PM

Sand it down and say it's a "natural" finish.

yellofury · #5 03-30-2010, 09:56 PM

seriously do not simonize it

the only true way is to completely strip it down and reranch the whole body
which is excessive. Im with the adds personality group

M0ses · #6 03-30-2010, 09:58 PM

Ok, time for a straight answer.

Here's the deal. To get that paint chip out, you're gonna have to completely strip and refinish the bass.

I GUARANTEE that doing that will do much, MUCH more horrible things to the resale and collectable-ness of that bass, than a small chip.

Or you leave it. If you play a bass, it gets worn. Such is life. I promise, it's not the end of the world.

bbocaner · #7 03-30-2010, 10:06 PM

If you can find some touch-up paint at an auto parts store or something that's a pretty decent match you might be able to do an OK job of fixing it up. It'll be noticable, but it won't stand out as much as it does now. I'd do a drop fill and then sand just that spot level and polish it with some of the stewmac micro polish pads. If you look on the stewmac web site they have some tutorials on how to do this type of thing.

mongo2 · #8 03-31-2010, 03:25 AM

Fixed it for ya...

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sneha1965 · #9 03-31-2010, 03:50 AM

You have a few options. 1) You could patch it. Reranch should have the ice Metallic blue. You'd have to srpay some on a piece of wood till it puddles and then dip a tooth pick or brush in it and fill the chip. It won't look perfect. It will still look like a chip but it won't look like a primer chip. 2) You could have a custom guard made by Pickguardian or some other vendor to extend down to cover the chip. 3) You could spend the $$$ to get it refinished, or what I would do.... 4) leave it alone and play it like it is.

LDonnie · #10 03-31-2010, 04:06 AM

Such is life I say. I would take measures to ensure the chip gets sealed. Some nail polish maybe?

Simo98 · #11 03-31-2010, 04:34 AM

I love all the useful replies :P

TBH I don't see why you are concerned about it, basses get dings, it happens.

Otherwise take it to a luthier you trust and have them repair it, if its an expensive bass I wouldn't want to do a repair myself. Cock it up and it looks far worse than you started with.

ghoulbug · #12 03-31-2010, 04:54 AM

Here's a Sadowsky Metro that apparently came to Roger's shop chipped during shipping. This was all they could do to fix it.

Color-matching seems to be the biggest problem when trying to paint over a blemish like that.

ProfGumby · #13 03-31-2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simo98

I love all the useful replies :P

TBH I don't see why you are concerned about it, basses get dings, it happens.

Otherwise take it to a luthier you trust and have them repair it, if its an expensive bass I wouldn't want to do a repair myself. Cock it up and it looks far worse than you started with.

Useful replies are always buried in the rubble here on TB...I love that!

And I do agree with you. But I would like to add to the op, I may be off my rocker but I think anything you do to that bass now will detract from it's value as a Custom Shop bass.

Short of sending it back to the Custom Shop and having them refinish the bass and you say nothing about it ever....well, good luck with that. And as has been pointed out, any attempt to "patch it" will stand out like a sore thumb. Maybe a good refinish man can fill, level and blend a patch coat like has been done on cars for years, but even those tend to show up when viewed from a certain angle, and especially show up over time when the paint fades differently.

The first ding on any bass, especially an expensive bass, is always the one that hurts the most. Ever hear the song, "The First Cut Is The Deepest"?

Seriously, you do what you want, there is some good advice here. But if it was me, I'd let 'er go and let 'er rip! And I would play as much as I can with my thumb over the spot till I got over it.

faulknersj · #14 03-31-2010, 11:37 PM

I wish you all were right! I am trying to sell this bass and that little chip has been an issue every time. Thanks for the ideas tho!

darkstorm · #15 04-01-2010, 12:43 AM

Easy repair is gonna be just cover it with one of those car paint touch up "pens" available from car hardware store. If its deep, I'd first fill it with wood glue or wood filler. Then do the touch up paint over that.

Pilgrim · #16 04-01-2010, 11:21 AM

Dan Erlewine outlines the process in his book on guitar repair. It depends on the finish. Nitro and acrylic lacquer will melt when you drop fresh lacquer into them, so they're easier than poly finishes. If you really want to do it right, I suggest checking Erlewine's latest book, Reranch.com and information online at http://www.stewmac.com/