Car detailing products on a guitar

[Hey, Moe!]

My son has a quality electric guitar, and he has become aware of minor swirl marks in the finish. I have offered to try to get rid of them as best I can.

I's assuming that the guitar has a urethane finish. Are there any car polishes that would be OK to use on the guitar? I have SSR 1 and 2.5, and some Griot's Hand Polish (pre-Autopia), and some Vanilla Moose.

Can you use a glaze to hide the marks, and would the finish accept a LSP? I have RMG, and Meg's #3 glazes, and IW, #16, and Natty's Blue as well.

I know this sounds a bit goofy, but he seems to be particular about the guitar, and I am hoping that this pickiness would carry over into other areas, as well. I'm hoping to find something that works, and allow him to try it on his own whenever he feels the need.

Do bear in mind that even though I own a PC, it wouldn't be of much use here. Whatever I use would be done by hand.

Thanks!

[TigerMike]

I have polished some of my guitars in the past with Zaino Z5. I personally prefer to use a swirl "filler" rather than remover on a guitar finish, as they can be much more fragile than car paint. Several coats of Z5 always helped on my black and red guitars.

[Hey, Moe!]

I like the idea of a filler on a guitar. I gotta believe that the finish on a guitar is "soft," by auto standards.

Just to satisfy my curiosity, I may try Vanilla Moose, since it is slightly abrasive, but maybe not, given my cautious mentality. I've got a feeling that RMG is the way to go.

I don't have any Zaino products, and don't want to buy more stuff to do a guitar, though never is never, and I have pulled out the checkbook before.

In your opinion, which of my LSPs would work, if you have any experience with any of them.

Thanks, TM!

BTW, can I assume that the logo on your avatar is the Memphis State Tigers? MMMM, bar-b-que town! Someday, I'll get to the Rendezvous.

[Prometheus]

I know Meguiar's makes products specifically for guitar/instrument finishes, but I don't know how different they are from their car care products. I think if you went with any of the more oily/filler type pollishes then you'll be fine.

[TigerMike]

Originally Posted by Hey, Moe!

I like the idea of a filler on a guitar. I gotta believe that the finish on a guitar is "soft," by auto standards.

Just to satisfy my curiosity, I may try Vanilla Moose, since it is slightly abrasive, but maybe not, given my cautious mentality. I've got a feeling that RMG is the way to go.

I don't have any Zaino products, and don't want to buy more stuff to do a guitar, though never is never, and I have pulled out the checkbook before.

In your opinion, which of my LSPs would work, if you have any experience with any of them.

Thanks, TM!

BTW, can I assume that the logo on your avatar is the Memphis State Tigers? MMMM, bar-b-que town! Someday, I'll get to the Rendezvous.

Yes, guitar finishes are or can be much more delicate than an automotive finish. That is why on expensive guitars (my most expensive is $1600), I will only use non-abrasive products, whether it be glazes, or LSP fillers such as Zaino Z5. From the products you have according to your first post, I would try the least abrasive products first and see if that achieves your results. So, you might try RMG, then follow with IW, #16, or NB. I for sure, would not use heavy abrasives or compounds, but that's just me.

Oh, and yep, the avatar is from the U of M Tigers! Go Tigers! Yes, we love our BBQ here. Yumm!

Hope this helps.

Mike