JEM FLORAL VARNISH

zorro · #1 02-06-2004, 10:10 AM

Hi,
I have a 89 floral, and the varnish has a lot of scratches, is it possible for any luthier to make a new varnish for this axe without spoiling the floral pattern?
Or should I leave it to "jem specialist"?...
Thanks

Ibateur · #2 02-06-2004, 11:04 AM

Have you tried those finish fixers for sale I think at Warmoth or StewMac?

If it is just finish scratches, I guess you can try them first.

zorro · #3 02-06-2004, 11:55 AM

in fact it's more holes than scratches (if "scratches" doesn't really mean holes; in my case varnish is missing and you can touch the F pattern ) on the limit body-contour that can be seen looking in front of the body.
more:yesterday, I was fixing a problem with my trem arm holder with the most strong glue on earth, and I found myself glued on my axe body. "lol"

Fortunately, the 2 glue marks can only be seen on a certain angle in the light, it can't be seen looking in front of the axe.
thanks for the advice, can this thing you're talking about fill holes?...and could any luthier make a new varnish, without spoiling the fp pattern....?!

Akhenaten · #4 02-07-2004, 01:21 AM

Usually these larger cracks and dents and chips can be drop-filled. It's hard to tell without seeing it. They usually won't match perfectly as far as reflecting the light off of it. But the color is just clear, so it's pretty clean long as it's done right.

As for glueing yourself to it, the glue marks can usually be scraped or gently sanded back to the finish, and wet-sanded and buffed to a shine again. Sometimes, you can use a glue-remover, but your dancing with risk. Super-glue has super-glue remover, but occasionally, it will mar a finish or react foggy. Try it in a place that's outta visibility, (And away from the exposed fabric areas of the floral print!)

zorro · #5 02-07-2004, 09:22 AM

thanks for the replies!
In fact i used black nail varnish to fill the holes on the contour, and it's ok for me; I'm really satisfied as you can't really see a difference in color no more at first look...
About the glue....the fact that we can see it only on a certain angle; made me kind of accept it, and it's just 2 little marks....but I'm gonna try your tricks on the contour.

has someone had an entire new varnish made on his floral?...has the luthier got special attention to pay to deal with the pattern?...