BobN Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 I took the strap off my H555 and noticed that there were swirl marks around the strap button on the back. It's a perfect circle about the size of a half dollar. Must have had a bit of abrasive in the strap that rubbed the nitro. Anyway, my question is if there's a product and / or safe way to remove this. It's on the back so obviously not noticeable - but I know it's there so it bugs me. Thanks...
NoNameBand Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 I took the strap off my H555 and noticed that there were swirl marks around the strap button on the back. It's a perfect circle about the size of a half dollar. Must have had a bit of abrasive in the strap that rubbed the nitro. Anyway, my question is if there's a product and / or safe way to remove this. It's on the back so obviously not noticeable - but I know it's there so it bugs me. Thanks... Going to strap-locks will prevent this in the future. I like Schaller the best.
Gitfiddler Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 Sometimes leaving the stained area alone, and not reintroducing any other transferrable item to the affected area for a few months will cause the stain to dissipate...a little. This was the recommendation of a Heritage dealer for guitar stand marks on the back of a blonde Johnny Smith. It took several months but eventually most of the stain disappeared.
kbp810 Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 You can try some virtuoso polish to try and buff it out a bit perhaps... at the very least it might help the mark disappear a little and not be so noticable.
tbonesullivan Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 easiest way? get swirl mark remover from stewmac. Only downside is that you have to get a freakin huge bottle of it. You can apply it with a cloth by hand. Just buff in a circular motion and it'll cut down on swirls a bit.
MartyGrass Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 You won't like this response, but that won't stop me: get used to them. They don't hurt anything and are a sign that you care enough to play the instrument. Strap locks will help but won't provide full immunity. A drummer friend of mine's wife cleaned the marks off his snare drum one day and cleaned the bowl of his pipe. He could have gone homicidal! He explained to his wife that it took him years to get the drum to look that way and for the residue to build up in his bowl. She pointed out that this was his fault completely for being a poor communicator and not telling her to leave his drums and pipe alone. They are still together. But I digress... There are straps without dye on the ends. The stains can be buffed out. You can tell I've given up, however. When it's time to sell an instrument, it is worth having it professionally buffed. Pull off the hardware, which saves you money, and take it to a good luthier for a quick buff. You might pay more, but that's cost me $15-20.
smurph1 Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 You won't like this response, but that won't stop me: get used to them. They don't hurt anything and are a sign that you care enough to play the instrument. Strap locks will help but won't provide full immunity. A drummer friend of mine's wife cleaned the marks off his snare drum one day and cleaned the bowl of his pipe. He could have gone homicidal! He explained to his wife that it took him years to get the drum to look that way and for the residue to build up in his bowl. She pointed out that this was his fault completely for being a poor communicator and not telling her to leave his drums and pipe alone. They are still together. But I digress... There are straps without dye on the ends. The stains can be buffed out. You can tell I've given up, however. When it's time to sell an instrument, it is worth having it professionally buffed. Pull off the hardware, which saves you money, and take it to a good luthier for a quick buff. You might pay more, but that's cost me $15-20. Not to be bossy, but I totally agree with Marty..My 535 is less than 6 months old and it already has buckle rash and dings on it..because I play it at every gig we do..I love the tone and to keep it home just seems wrong to me..My 2 cents. Guitars are meant to be played..Ok I'll shut up now..
GuitArtMan Posted January 12, 2011 Posted January 12, 2011 Guys, I don't think he's talking about a stain - he's talking about swirl marks from his strap rubbing against the body of his guitar. While I'm with most of the guys here, the marks give the guitar character, the solution comes from the same place as many guitar finish solutions: the automotive industry. I'm talking about Meguiars Mirror Glaze Swirl Remover. Fender teamed up with Meguiars a few years back for a line of guitar polish products. One of them happens to be swirl remover. That said, my favorite cleaner/polish is still Virtuoso by far:
yoslate Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 I'm with smurph and Marty! You want to play it, or worship it?
big bob Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 I'm with smurph and Marty! You want to play it, or worship it? Both... what!!!
JeffB Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 You won't like this response, but that won't stop me: get used to them. They don't hurt anything and are a sign that you care enough to play the instrument. Strap locks will help but won't provide full immunity. A drummer friend of mine's wife cleaned the marks off his snare drum one day and cleaned the bowl of his pipe. He could have gone homicidal! He explained to his wife that it took him years to get the drum to look that way and for the residue to build up in his bowl. She pointed out that this was his fault completely for being a poor communicator and not telling her to leave his drums and pipe alone. They are still together. But I digress... There are straps without dye on the ends. The stains can be buffed out. You can tell I've given up, however. When it's time to sell an instrument, it is worth having it professionally buffed. Pull off the hardware, which saves you money, and take it to a good luthier for a quick buff. You might pay more, but that's cost me $15-20. Not to be bossy, but I totally agree with Marty..My 535 is less than 6 months old and it already has buckle rash and dings on it..because I play it at every gig we do..I love the tone and to keep it home just seems wrong to me..My 2 cents. Guitars are meant to be played..Ok I'll shut up now.. I'm with smurph and Marty! You want to play it, or worship it? People pay me to clean and look after their guitars. I dont think Ive ever cleaned mine. I just play them... and play them ....and play them...and play them and play them and play them....then send them off to some one who refrets them and cleans them.....and then I play them and play them and play them... They all look like crap compared to some of the lovely's Ive seen here.
tulk1 Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 People pay me to clean and look after their guitars. I dont think Ive ever cleaned mine. I just play them... and play them ....and play them...and play them and play them and play them....then send them off to some one who refrets them and cleans them.....and then I play them and play them and play them... They all look like crap compared to some of the lovely's Ive seen here. Mark G. has some good comments (love the bowl anecdote). And Tully, yeah, agree with that playing thing. Just my own weird story here. Back in Oct we played a BBQ outdoors. About 38 degrees starting the 2nd set (2 x 1.5 hr sets). Beginning the second set the hot dog vendor was shutting down and brought us all some hot dogs, which we ate on stage between songs. I'm pretty sure there's still some grease stains on the Prospect neck. Made it much easier to play in the cold. Hot dog grease - better than Fretease any day! Ahem, to be on topic - I don't like the swirls, either. Not on a new instrument. But hey, it's going to happen if you're playing it. Kinda like cymbal dings in the headstock. Eventually you're going to get one. I"ve often wondered how hard it would be to get the binding cap they put on the back of the neck joing to extend far enough to cover the strap button on some guitars. It was a thought.
NoNameBand Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 If its a work of art, frame it and hang it on the wall. If its an instrument, play it. If its both, play the crap out of it and when you're done, put it back in the frame and hang it on the wall until next time, like a mistress. If you ever sell it, you can take MGs advice and get it cleaned up.
BobN Posted January 13, 2011 Author Posted January 13, 2011 Thanks for all the suggestions and philosophical musings! As for the work of art vs. an instrument. I've had her for almost a year and played every night except for probably 2 weeks (rough 2 weeks). I don't gig with it - just play for my own enjoyment and relaxation. So it's not sitting in a case. That said, it is also a work of art - from the craftman in K'zoo to the dealer at Mojo's to my cave. Much different from my Strat that I can bang around and not get that upset about. Anyway - thanks for the tips. I'll give them a shot.
yoslate Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 Thanks for all the suggestions and philosophical musings! I've had her for almost a year and played every night except for probably 2 weeks (rough 2 weeks). I don't gig with it - just play for my own enjoyment and relaxation. So it's not sitting in a case. That said, it is also a work of art - from the craftman in K'zoo to the dealer at Mojo's to my cave. Much different from my Strat that I can bang around and not get that upset about. +1
Kuz Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 You can try some virtuoso polish to try and buff it out a bit perhaps... at the very least it might help the mark disappear a little and not be so noticable. I had very good success removing pic scratches & heavy swirl marks using Virtuoso Cleaner FIRST and then followed up with Virtuoso polish!
Kuz Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 just to follow up on giving guitar vs a case queen. I play ALL my guitars and I am UBER careful to keep them mint new looking. All I am saying is I to agree that a guitar has to have dings and bruises to be played regularly and loved. I DO agree that guitars were meant to be played! (but they can be played and kept near mint too. Just my type A behavior I guess)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.