Micro Scratches in Nitro Lacquer Finish

[Bill Eisele]

Hi All,

I decided to do extensive nitro lacquer drop fill on the back of my 1981 ES-175. There were extensive buckle rash, gouges, etc., and the result came out looking great except for these micro scratches that can't be polished out regardless of what I use in terms of the coarser to the finest abrasive polishes (StewMac, Meguairs, Virtuoso, and 3M) and the softest buffing pads. The scratches are visible under direct light while moving the guitar back and forth under the light. I could leave them as is but I am thinking about doing a light overspray of nitro lacquer. Would the overspray essentially "melt" those micro scratches or just make them more visible as I polish out the new layer of lacquer? Thanks!

Bill

[Greywolf]

if the luthiers polishing compounds fail , then a light overspray and subsequent buff out is in order.

Make certain the surface has NO residue from the buffing compounds.

I've done this many times in my 41 years as a Luthier

[Bill Eisele]

if the luthiers polishing compounds fail , then a light overspray and subsequent buff out is in order.

Make certain the surface has NO residue from the buffing compounds.

I've done this many times in my 41 years as a Luthier

Thanks for the information, Greywolf. I haven’t gotten back to the project but if my polishing compounds don’t work I will first clean the surface with Naphtha. And will then do a light overspray and buff it out. (Sorry for the delayed response. Have been having trouble logging into the website.)

[RJVB]

I have 2 guitars that have some blemishes that are clear under the top coat. I doubt they'd become invisible with just an overspray.

Just how much do you think you took off with those coarsest polishes? Is it an idea to use one of those nail buffer pads first (3 grits on a piece of foam), in an inconspicuous spot?