Please Help: How do i restore a KTM9 water-based finish polish luster?

[Quick Question]

Hi guys, first-time poster here after having been a visitor to frets.com. Anyways, a few months ago i did a pretty dumb thing and went crazy with some 0000 steel wool on my guitar top while trying to remove a scratch.

I ended up going over the whole top with the steel wool and now the top has a completely dull, matte look to it but i am fairly sure that there is still plenty of polish on the guitar. I was wondering what might i do to restore the polish and bring out the shine in the top again. The guitar was made with a KTM9 water-based lacquer. Please help. Thanks guys!

[FRANK]

PUT YOUR ELBOW BEHIND IT OR HIT IT ON A BUFFING WHEEL ?

[Jeffrey L. Suits]

I'd suggest Bufflex (LMI has it), followed by polishing compounds. When you say, "polish", I assume you mean, "finish".

Steel wool is 200% the wrong way to try to get rid of a scratch.

[Quick Question]

Thanks. Sorry guys, i'm no luthier just a guy that messed with his guitar some. Jeffrey, is bufflex a buffing wheel? I tried to search for it on LMI but it would not pop up however i googled it and that was what i found. Anyways, i'm not really interested in buying a whole buffing rig/machine (sounds a little expensive). Would some fine swirl remover work?

[Michael P. Lemieux]

Hello
Maybe there is a local repair shop in your area that would buff it out for you for a reasonable fee.
I'd have to think it wouldn't be to expensive to this. Something to think about.
Later, Mike

[STGuitarworks]

The cheapest way involves a good amount of elbow grease.... Canadian Tire sell a number of products for removing automotive scratches. I suggest you purchase "Meguiar's Scratch X2.0", some shop towels, some automotive wet/dry 1000grit and 2000grit sandpaper.

I suggest you try the X2.0 first, and if it doesnt get rid of all the steel wool scratches (it will atleast bring out gloss) then try the 2000grit (soaked in mildly soapy water, using a rubber block; an eraser will do).

There are economic solutions for buffing wheels as well.

Cheers

Sean
www.stguitarworks.com

[R.J. Fulton]

I've had great results with Meguires #9 polish and their fine detailer for cars,and with the Meguires plastic cleaner,polish, and detailer as well. It's probably not a bad idea to wet sand a little if you're sure your finish is thick enough get everything at least up to 1200 grit preferably better to save some buffing and elbow grease. I've been having great results with microfinsihing film I bought from LMI.
Good luck, and take care,
R.J.

[Jim MacBrayne]

Personally I use Liberon Burnishing Cream which is easily obtainable. Within minutes I've produced a mirror finish in KTM9, pre-prepared with 1200 grit wet and dry, using vigorous elbow grease. I use the wet and dry with water and a little washing up liquid.
Jim

[Quick Question]

Thanks for all the responses. I've heard great things about Meguiar's wax especially the X2.0, but i have also heard that the wax contains silicone. I'll look into the Liberon burnishing cream. What about just plain run of the mill swirl remover? I was thinking maybe i can purchase some fine grade swirl remover use that to restore a bit of the luster and then apply a regular silicone-free polish such as petros or Martin?

[FRANK]

yep you can

[STGuitarworks]

Wax can be harmful if it gets under a finish so I wrote the following to Meguiars:

"Hello,
I use your product in the buffing process in finishing the guitars that I build and in numerous customer repairs.

http://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/please-help-how-do-i-restore

On this guitar builder website someone said that the X2.0 contains silicone and or wax. If wax gets under a guitar finish it can cause issues.

Does this product contain silicone, wax or anything that might harm a water base lacquer?

Thanks!!
Sean


Dear Sean,
Thank you for contacting Meguiar’s. The ScratchX 2.0 does not have wax or silicone. It will be just fine for you. I hope this information is helpful.

John Keeling
Senior Surface Care Specialist
Meguiar's, Inc.
800.854.8073 *113

"

Not overly an indepth response but I am reassured that it is very safe for use on a KTM-9 or nitro finish. It's done well on the 80 to 100 guitars that I've used it on, no adverse effects.

Sean