Scratch removal advice

[HotBottomEnd]

Hi peeps!

I have a mid 90's mexi P Bass that I'd like to spruce up, and want to know if you guys have some advice for removing scratches in the paint and pickguard.

Also, any advice on how to treat the fretboard? It is in decent condition, but looks a little dull. Should that be sanded, polished, oiled? Also, what about the back of the neck. I've heard that some guys like sanding the back of the neck to give it a satin finish.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[reddogbass]

Well- it depends on how you describe "scratches," and how deep they are.

If it's just some surface scuffing, you should be able to to buff these out satisfactorily with some automotive compound and a little elbow grease.

Deeper than this will require a little sanding with wet-or-dry 600 or finer, then a buff. A word of warning though- you may cut through the finish to bare wood, so a little caution is required.

If the scratches are deeper than the finish, you will either have to spot repair, or refinish completely.

As for the pickguards- often the same methods for finishing the body will work, Some guards though are quite soft, and require a rouge intended for buffing plastics. Check with your local plastics supplier- like TAP. There is also lots of info out there on refinishing- what compounds to use, and the required pads, etc.

The other thing you could do is take your guitar to a local painter that specializes in custom car and motorcycle paint and ask him for advice. A guitar finish is not different from custom car paint jobs. At least he can see it- we can't.