Old Warwick restoring - Polish or dull the finish?

[Barib]

I just got a 2002 streamer LX, in a stunning "honey burst" with figured maple. I love it so far, and it's been a huge clean-up job. Those bronze frets were green...

After waxing the bass, I can see cloudy/milky patches. Where the poly finish is dulled and hazy. It doesn't look great imo. The photos don't show this issue very well.

But I'm torn - Do I buy a guitar polish (like planet waves detailer) to restore the gloss? Or do I use a scotchbrite + sander, then wax it to get a smooth, dulled gloss?

I'm worried polish could make it plasticky, like many new guitars look in stores. But I also have no clue how a dulled finish would look! I currently love how the grain "pops", and shines under light. I'm scared to lose that effect. Maybe I won't.
Basically I like the idea of a dulled finish (like how most oil-finished Warwicks look. It's the classic finish). But I'm scared to lose the "pop" in the flame maple. Which would look best?

 

[DrBnz]

If there's nice underlying grain structure, then you gotta show that off. How much work are you willing to do though? I did a full "Wipe-on POLY" that came out VERY NICE, but it took days to prep, days to finish, weeks to dry (correctly). Not to mention complete disassembly/buidup. But in the end it was very nice. And you'll get to see what it looks like "dulled" (matte) as you do the prep sanding. But honestly.... I'd probably polish the frets, hydrate the fingerboard and play it as is.

 

[Barib]

If there's nice underlying grain structure, then you gotta show that off. How much work are you willing to do though? I did a full "Wipe-on POLY" that came out VERY NICE, but it took days to prep, days to finish, weeks to dry (correctly). Not to mention complete disassembly/buidup. But in the end it was very nice. And you'll get to see what it looks like "dulled" (matte) as you do the prep sanding. But honestly.... I'd probably polish the frets, hydrate the fingerboard and play it as is.

Adding a poly coat sounds good - I saw a video with sanding, adding a satin poly spray, then waxing - it gave a really nice dulled/semi gloss finish. Plus, it would protect the paint more (mine already has signs of wear in the clear coat).
I'd be willing to do a full job like that. But for a high-gloss effect, a simple polish + wax would be faster and easier. I'm just not sure which to choose!

 

[Bikeguy57]

Mild rubbing compound and a good automotive polish should bring it back nicely. Trying to rough it up for a matte finish would likely look like s**t unless you're a pro.