Dammit, I buffed the scratch out of the finish on my bass

Byzcat · #1 09-24-2009, 02:35 PM

So, I got a sweet deal on an Ibanez SR-300- $60 knocked off the price because it was "blemished". It had a streak of ook on it, and when I cleaned the ook off, there was a barely noticeable scratch in the finish.

That was it, that was my blemish. A scratch that you practically needed a magnifying glass to see.

I was bragging to my teacher in my last lesson about getting a deal on the bass, and he said, "You might be able to buff it out, if it's just in the surface of the finish."

I told him I hadn't tried, because I didn't mind the scratch, it was so small and it got me a discount on the instrument.

Actually, I was rather fond of that scratch. I would look at it and see $60 that stayed in my bank account instead of going to zZounds (not that I have a problem with zZounds, they've been good to me, but I do likes saving me some money).

So today, I was polishing the bass with a soft cloth with a bit of Endust on it, and waxing nostalgic for Tasmanian Guitar Polish, and I looked down near the bridge and...

the scratch is gone. The bass looks absolutely pristine.

I am not happy about this.

Pilgrim · #2 09-24-2009, 02:37 PM

You should be. The longer the instrument looks pristine, the better.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

mongo2 · #3 09-24-2009, 02:49 PM

Oops, you de-relic'd it.

Eh, who needs mojo anyway?

SteveC · #4 09-24-2009, 02:49 PM

I like pristine, but I don't mind some "wear" either. My 5 string came with a ding on the headstock so I got a deal on it - that's nice. I just traded a pristine Sadowsky 5 for a "used" Sadowsky 4. It isn't beat by any means, but does have some "character" marks which is fine. I think it adds to the "mojo" of this bass.

Byzcat · #5 09-24-2009, 03:34 PM

^
And considering that Fender is now marketing brand-new guitars with artificial wear marks on them, (I thought the guy trying it out at the music store was pulling my leg, then I noticed the tag hanging from one of the tuners)...

Personally, I prefer to come by my dings, scratches, and wear marks honestly.

Maybe I should quit polishing the bridge and tuners, let 'em get a little tarnished.

Jimmy Bones · #6 09-24-2009, 10:39 PM

I HATE HATE HATE the tarnishing on my stiletto on the bridge and tuners. Wish I knew how to et rid of it without resorting to brasso or something.

SteveC · #7 09-25-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byzcat

Personally, I prefer to come by my dings, scratches, and wear marks honestly.

Maybe I should quit polishing the bridge and tuners, let 'em get a little tarnished.

I don't try to do either. I don't really clean and scrub and polish my basses. ON the other hand, I don't try to crash a cymbal with my headstock, but if it happens so be it. Battle scars.

VroomVroom · #8 09-25-2009, 09:40 AM

FWIW...

With Endust (I couldn't tell from your post if you used the Tasmanian product, but in any case, I'm not familiar with it) you actually filled the scratch, as opposed to polishing it out. Over time as the filler deteriorates, you'll see the scratch again.

This is one of the misnomers...the word, "polish" means different things depending on the product and the goal at hand. Removing scratches is akin to sanding wood. You need an abrasive that actually levels the finish around the scratch, hence removing it.

Simple fact of life...scratches happen. Most guitar polishes - just like most automotive glazes - have fillers (generally oils) that hide them, offering some temporary 'relief.' These are the safest products to use, especially if you're unsure of what type of finish is on your instrument. If you're truly interested in removing scratches, a true abrasive polish (i.e. Meguiar's Scratch X) will do the job nicely, but you definitely want to exercise caution and make sure you know that the finish is suitable for such a product.

Anyway...sorry for the long post on this. Sometimes the automotive detailer in me can't help but talk too much.

Byzcat · #9 09-25-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

FWIW...

With Endust (I couldn't tell from your post if you used the Tasmanian product, but in any case, I'm not familiar with it)

Not surprising. They quit making it about twelve years ago. I think I may have owned the last bottle ever made. I was working in the shipping room in a music store, and a coworker gave it to me, and said it was a discontinued item.

Great stuff, though.

Im a sock · #10 09-25-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bones

I HATE HATE HATE the tarnishing on my stiletto on the bridge and tuners. Wish I knew how to et rid of it without resorting to brasso or something.

I cant even tell you how well Brasso works. I think the only real downside to it is the smell

I wish i knew about it BEFORE my bridge and tuners started tarnishing.

xgator4u · #11 09-25-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Bones

I HATE HATE HATE the tarnishing on my stiletto on the bridge and tuners. Wish I knew how to et rid of it without resorting to brasso or something.

NEVR-DULL

It comes in a can, looks like raw cotton with a chemical on it, you wipe it on, wait a few minutes for it to dry, and wipe it off with a clean soft cloth. It will shine most anything metal, removes tarnish,rust,etc. and it will NOT scratch the metal. I would be cautious about getting it on the paint or wood. I honestly don't know what the effect would be. You can buy it in most hardware stores, some supermarkets, or online. It is GOOD stuff I'm telling you, and it's cheap.

Rattman · #12 09-25-2009, 09:34 PM

Great story... sorry the bass looks 'too good' now. But the $60 you saved wasn't polished away.. plus you still have your memories to be comforted with...