I've got an '86 MIJ Strat that's got a few dings in it but only one damaged area that really bugs me. About and inch above the pickguard, there's a scrape, roughly 3/8" in diameter, deep enough to expose the wood underneath. It's in the lighter part of the 3 tone sunburst finish. Is this something that can be repaired or should I just learn to live with it?..

You can respray a finish back on. However you can't control what it will look like in a few years. When more scratches and dents are added and after the finish fades differently to the rest of the body.

You would be probably paying more than the body is worth for a good touch up job. Everything is fixable dependent on the cost.

I'd leave it or if you want to cry over it get some red paint and turn it into a battle wound.

Don't cover up that mojo................. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Getting a pro fix on it would be quite costly.You could go to a craft store and look for a colour to match it up and leave at that or just leave it alone altogether.I had some of the painted trim and finish of my 66 Harmony Archtone chipped and worn off and got some craft paint at a dollar store and matched up the colours so perfectly that I can't see where I did the touch ups.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Rub some Tung Oil onto the bare wood spot, that will help it and just let it be. It won't make it sound worse, And thats an Identifying mark so you know it's yours.

I love 80s MIJ Fenders as they are excellent guitars and I also know how annoying some dings and dents can be. Try and find a really cool decal, as the right one can look great and also make you forget the ding altogether without costing a thing.

Hi oldguy: has it merely exposed the amber tinted wood in the middle of your sunburst, or has it taken that stained tint off too, revealing absolutely nude wood?

Also. Does anyone know if a mid-'80s MIJ would have polyester or polyurethane lacquer? It matters which, if a repair were to be attempted.

It could probably be repaired well, but not absolutely invisibly. Learn to live with it is of course the well-known alternative...

Cheers - C

Ceri, it took off the finish down to the bare wood... I don't know... maybe I should learn to live with it. It just seems like wear is good to look at but damage is just damage... different mojo I guess... After just watching SRV Live at El Mocambo, my slightly damaged Strat doesn't seem so bad..