Fixing a bass with leprosy...

[Frettage]

I have been working to fix up a mid-90s Fender J-Bass with a Sunburst finish I got as a gift from a friend. I've been able to do almost everything myself, but unfortunately the body itself has been abused, and I'm getting lots of little (and not so little) chips in the finish around the edges. So far, I've been just filling them in with a black Sharpie and then covering them with some clear acetate to keep the Sharpie from rubbing off. Is there anything I can do to protect it a bit more, or keep it from getting worse? It's not worth it to refinish it.

[Musiclogic]

You can de wax it and shoot a sealer coat of clear to try to fend off the chips, but in reality, it's gonna happen, so let em fly until you are ready to do a refinish on it. One day you may find it worthy.

[HogieWan]

you do know that some people pay extra for chipped finishes

[Beej]

Just curious why you say its not worth it to refinish? Its a time-consuming and forearm-size-enhancing process, but its not terribly expensive. Unless of course you're paying someone else to do it...

[Lo-E]

Rather than Sharpie and tape, get a bottle of black nail polish. Great for touch-ups.