Getting the finish on an old bass shiny again

[radiophonic]

My 92 Stingray is pretty clean, but there a couple of areas of the finish that have worn dull - where my right arms falls and the top horn (for some reason). Is it possible to get the shine back without damaging the lacquer? I assume it's a poly finish, but I have no idea how thick it is. Presumably some sort of buffing would do it? Any ideas?

[Happy Jack]

You don't really understand relic'ing, do you?

[itsmedunc]

27 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

You don't really understand relic'ing, do you?

Quite, restoring this bass to it's former glory could dramatically reduce it's value. The bass world is going through a "dragged down the canal" period at the moment.

On a more sensible note - 

 

Edited March 14, 2018 by itsmedunc

[Dad3353]

To restore faded paintwork...

Spoiler

T-Cut ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/T-Cut-Original-Colour-Restorer-500ml/dp/B001CIZ3FQ

[radiophonic]

Probably should have mentioned this is a trans finish, so I imagine the poly coat is clear over a stain.

[Bassassin]

If it's poly, then T-Cut does an awesome job. Never tried it on that nitrocellulose rubbish though.

[Dad3353]

Yes, T-cut to restore the lustre, then Dr Duck's Ax Wax, to keep it in good nick.

[Shaggy]

Having restored a good few old acoustic instruments, I've always used Rustins finish reviver: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rustisn-FINR125-125ml-Finish-Reviver/dp/B001GU6E76/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521054210&sr=8-1&keywords=rustins+finish+reviver

 - it's essentially the same as T-cut (meant for automotive finishes) but specifically for furniture / varnish - and does work on nitrocellulose lacquers.  Most decent hardware shops stock it

[Big_Stu]

I was advised against T-Cut by JayDee no less, as he said it was too strong an abrasive, especially for the inexperienced amateur restorer.

Since then I bought a Gibson restoration pack, which has a finish restorer and soft cloths, fingerboard lemon oil etc in it. No problems so far.

[Dan Dare]

2 minutes ago, Big_Stu said:

I was advised against T-Cut by JayDee no less, as he said it was too strong an abrasive, especially for the inexperienced amateur restorer.

Since then I bought a Gibson restoration pack, which has a finish restorer and soft cloths, fingerboard lemon oil etc in it. No problems so far.

Good point. T Cut also leaves a residue, which you should ideally wipe off with something like white spirit.

[casapete]

48 minutes ago, Big_Stu said:

I was advised against T-Cut by JayDee no less, as he said it was too strong an abrasive, especially for the inexperienced amateur restorer.

Since then I bought a Gibson restoration pack, which has a finish restorer and soft cloths, fingerboard lemon oil etc in it. No problems so far.

I've had a 'Fender Instrument Care Kit' for a long time now, which contains a 'swirl and haze remover' bottle of stuff. Works

great on older finishes as well as poly ones. Made in conjunction with Meguiars,  ' the world's premier car care 

manufacturer'!! http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/Instrument-Care-Kit-by-Meguiars-1273888003790.gc

Think it's been discontinued now, but may still be some for sale somewhere. The newer Fender packs don't contain

the same products https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Fender-Custom-Shop-Deluxe-Guitar-Care-Kit/XLE

[radiophonic]

Thanks for all the input. I've used T-Cut on bicycle paint (much less tough than car paint) but I was a bit worried about the abrasion issue on a guitar. Obviously, I don't want to risk wrecking (sorry: relicing) the finish. I could always do a trial patch, under the scratchplate but even then I'd be a bit wary. 

[ambient]

I bought this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-Shine-Guitar-Spray/dp/B000A6ASQU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1521149641&sr=8-4&keywords=d'addario%2Bspray%2Bcleaner&dpID=41DKDGdxUwL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

And this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000EEHJS8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Together they made my Sei look amazing.

[SpondonBassed]

On 14/03/2018 at 19:07, Dad3353 said:

Yes, T-cut to restore the lustre, then Dr Duck's Ax Wax, to keep it in good nick.

Don't ask Dr Duck for an axe, sac and crack wax though.  It's liable to drive him quackers.

[yorks5stringer]

I use Meguiars Ultimate compound: T Cut is very old hat and if used too heavily can cut  though the clear coat.

[GuyR]

On 15 March 2018 at 21:34, ambient said:

I bought this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-Shine-Guitar-Spray/dp/B000A6ASQU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1521149641&sr=8-4&keywords=d'addario%2Bspray%2Bcleaner&dpID=41DKDGdxUwL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

And this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000EEHJS8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Together they made my Sei look amazing.

Your Sei looked amazing already

[darkandrew]

14 hours ago, yorks5stringer said:

I use Meguiars Ultimate compound: T Cut is very old hat and if used too heavily can cut  though the clear coat.

+1 on the Meguires Ultimate Compound - a great product which gets used in our house for everything from removing wax crayons off doors, shoe marks off hard floors, polishing my guitars / basses, and polishing hand bag scrapes, bush scrapes and pretty much any other light "brush" type scrape off of my car.

Edited March 17, 2018 by darkandrew