Guitar finish ding repair. What to use?

[TrueTone500]

I need to fill a small ding on my '08 USA Hamer '58 Korina Vector. I know nitro holds to poly nicely, but is there something better? You can't see it unless you're looking for it, so maybe I should just leave it alone? I have nitrocellulose on-hand, so I'm thinking about using it.

 

[Filter500]

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhe ... t=3&xsr=10

 

[DoomBuggi]

Nothing last forever. Nicks, cracks, bangs, though they suck, they make character.

I know the feeling, but I just move on. The more you play out, the more that can happen.

Also, is that a number out of 72 (#-72)?

 

[TrueTone500]

Nothing last forever. Nicks, cracks, bangs, though they suck, they make character.

I know the feeling, but I just move on. The more you play out, the more that can happen.

Also, is that a number out of 72 (#-72)?

I don't know? How can I tell? It has a 6 digit serial number beginning with 8xxxxx.

 

[ratter]

Please don't take this the wrong way - I don't intend any disrespect. If you have to ask what to use, you should probably avoid attempting the repair. A guitar with some years on it is bound to get a ding or two. No big deal. Wear them with pride or if it really bugs you, have a pro fix it.

A mistake made during a finish repair could end up very ugly, very expensive, or both.

 

[Zap]

Trust me, leave it alone. You'll cause more damage trying to fix it. Been there done that.

 

[Bob Savage]

I'd use a ballpeen hammer to put a few more on the guitar so the ding has friends.

Sorry, but that's all I've got.

EDIT: Just read the responses... I agree, don't worry about it and play it hard.

 

[cujo]

all my guitars have nicks n bruzes... I play them I dont look at them n worship them...

 

[OUTLAW1969]

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives/Stewart-MacDonald_Super_Glues/Brush-on_Super_Glue.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=10

I mostly don't worry about small dings, etc.

However, I have done this a few times when the chip is somewhere my hand or arm rests / hits.

Slow curing, good quality, super glue for a "drop fill" is the key. It will dry and look like a cloudy drop, and when you lightly wet sand you will see that it is only a cloudy film, and is a completely clear fill. Even did it with a missing chunk of clear as an experiment since the paint was still perfect underneath, with fantastic results.

 

[PeteLaramee]

I know the first ding/scratch always sucks, but just let it go. This aint no disco. It's rock 'n roll baby.

 

[TrueTone500]

I ended-up treating it with nitrocellulose. According to RS Guitarworks, nitro will not burn into a catalyzed finish, but it will help keep the chip from getting worse. Hamer USA says they used a "hybrid lacquer", but won't say whether or not it's catalyzed of not?

Ed Roman;
"Hamer USA is using an exclusive hybrid nitrocellulose lacquer and urethane combination."

It's laying down nicely, so maybe this will work.

Pic...

 

[Anonymous]

it actually looks more noticeable now....

you did seal out the moisture by doing this though.

 

[Zap]

it actually looks more noticeable now....

you did seal out the moisture by doing this though.

+1. Maybe it will lighten up as it dries.

 

[TrueTone500]

I'm hoping it will lighten once the nitro is through degassing. I'll give it a few days, then wet-sand and polish it.

My '08 USA Standard is mint!

 

[n4085b]

Man, I don't remember where I saw it, but a guy used a wet rag or paper towel and set it over the dented area then put the tip of a soldering iron over it which caused the water in the paper towel to steam which in turn caused the dent to lift out almost completely after several passes.
Something like this;

 

[TrueTone500]

I wet-sanded and polished the repair area today. While the nitro did not 'burn' into the finish, it is obviously close enough in formula to where it didn't leave a white border between the mating surface. This is good news, since many have questioned the feasibility of using nitro for repairs on USA Hamer guitars. I did however end-up with some air bubbles... An easy fix, but I was hoping this wouldn't happen.

 

[Mizati20]

You seriously can't be THAT anal about your gear....

 

[steve_k]

To each his own. Don't ever buy a guitar from me though. You will be busy repairing instead of playing.....

Apart from that, I have nothing to offer. But, the repair looks acceptable to me. Probably not a lot you could have done with it.

 

[TrueTone500]

You seriously can't be THAT anal about your gear....

I just didn't want any moisture getting under the finish. It was either this, or purchase a guitar bib.

 

[stratotone]

Every ding on a guitar is a story. This is why I don't like relic guitars - they are LIARS.

This year my wife was super cool and let me custom order a Tom Anderson to my exact specs. Rosewood neck, hollow, flame drop top, 24.75" scale, etc... I nearly freaked the first time it got a ding. then I realized those are MY dings, my guitar, and twenty years from now those are all going to be my memories. Be careful with your guitar, but if you're going to play it and especially if you're going to play gigs, it's going to get a few dings here and there.