Repairing thumb wear

[bobunit]

Several months ago I purchased a bass that had seen the road (many miles) and I am now attempting to restore/refinish the bass. The majority of the dents and dings I have been able to steam or sand out, however, this one has me stumped.



The finish will be transparent (flamed Maple) so this makes for an eyesore. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[FunkMetalBass]

Is it just grease on the top? Try some denatured alcohol to clean it off, then sand a little bit more.

[Musiclogic]

Bob...is that an actual divot from a thumb? If it is, your best bet is to fill the divot with a few drops of warm water and try to raise some of the grain. Take a piece of tape, and make an oval in it to be just smaller than the divot, apply the tape to the surfacemaking sure not to press the tape into the divot bu seal around the edge. Heat some water in a pan or kettel until it steams, then take the water to the body, submerge a spoon pull it out, and start putting drips into the divot, about 3-5 should be good, may take a few more. You want the divot to fully absorb the water and form a pool. let sit for 5 minutes then blot the excess of the pool, but leave the surface wet.

Now walk away, and come back tomorrow. The grain should raise, and this will let you know hom much to block sand around the divot to make it flush. You will then need to sand in circles away from the dent and slowly sand out the rest, continuing the circles so as to keep a fairly level surface.

[bobunit]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Bob...is that an actual divot from a thumb? If it is, your best bet is to fill the divot with a few drops of warm water and try to raise some of the grain. Take a piece of tape, and make an oval in it to be just smaller than the divot, apply the tape to the surfacemaking sure not to press the tape into the divot bu seal around the edge. Heat some water in a pan or kettel until it steams, then take the water to the body, submerge a spoon pull it out, and start putting drips into the divot, about 3-5 should be good, may take a few more. You want the divot to fully absorb the water and form a pool. let sit for 5 minutes then blot the excess of the pool, but leave the surface wet.

Now walk away, and come back tomorrow. The grain should raise, and this will let you know hom much to block sand around the divot to make it flush. You will then need to sand in circles away from the dent and slowly sand out the rest, continuing the circles so as to keep a fairly level surface.

It is indeed a divot. I will give that a shot. What grit of paper would you suggest for sanding the dent? I have been using 320. Would that be too aggressive especially in a circular motion?

[bobunit]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Is it just grease on the top? Try some denatured alcohol to clean it off, then sand a little bit more.

It is a divot. The dark area is the dirt and grime within the divot.

[Musiclogic]

Wipe the divot out with alcohol before raising the grain so as not to force the dirt any deeper.

320 is fine, I would start at 150 until the dent is almost gone, then to 220, and 320, and finish with 400. just keep working out from the dent to keep the level of the top similar across the body, and you should be fine.

oh yeah....MOPAR Rules...LOL inside joke

[bobunit]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

oh yeah....MOPAR Rules...LOL inside joke