What kind of buffing pads, sand paper or steel wool do ya'll use? Are rubbing compounds effective? Also, does the same process work on pick guards?

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Stay away from buffing pads, steel wool and sand paper.

All you really need is a mild polishing compound, glaze and wax.

I've been using Mothers Wax's for years (as good or better than Meguiars).

Check out this system. Cost a few dollars more than a bottle of Virtuoso Cleaner and Polish and will last you a lifetime of guitars. Plus, I swear, Virtuoso Polish is the same as Step 3 (looks the same, feels the same, and even smells the same).

https://store.mothers.com/product_info.php?products_id=44&cPath=13

Here is the result of using polishing compound, glaze then wax.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12633305@N02/sets/72157623828898432/

I would recommend tearing down the guitar, then polishing the whole guitar.

Good luck

Thanks for the tips, Cheng!

Any other suggestions?

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Well, I have to agree with pcheng...stay away from the steel wool and the sand paper! If we're just talking about light pick scratches, personally I'd start with something like 3M Swirl Remover and work my way backwards through the pastes (polishing compound, rubbing compound, etc) until the scratches are gone then work my way back up again. In other words, start with the 3M...that just might do the trick for you by itself. If it doesn't then try some polishing compound. If the polishing compound does take the scratches out, then re-buff with the 3M, if not then use some rubbing compound. After the scratches are gone from the rubbing compound, then re-polish with polishing compound and then use the 3M stuff.

If the scratches still won't come out, you may have to do some wet sanding (using maybe 2000 grit or even 1500 grit paper) but don't do that unless it's an absolute last resort. Also please know that if the finish is a poly, you're probably in for a lot of elbow grease! Take your time and be patient!

BTW, I also know that Meguiars (car wax) has a product out for car finishes that's really impressive...I've seen is used at a body shop and it literally "erased the scratches" but I have no idea what the name is or if/how well it works on guitar finishes...might be worth investigating though (I suspect it's in their "professional" line of products).

Peace,
Jim

Thanks Lomitus. Yeah, its a poly finish.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

You should still be able to find a Fender/Meguirs 3in1 kit that contains the Mist and Wipe, Swirl and Haze Remover and Polish and Conditioner. I have found this to be the best product though I only really give a guitar a solid polishing once a year if it is going to sit in a case for a while or else it is just mist and wipe for me. If you do the whole treatment with all 3 products it will make the light pick scratches disapear and leave your ax sparkling. I hope you were talking about using steel wool and sand paper on a neck.lol But is laa honesty I would never use sand paper at all and maybe 0000 steel wool on an unfinished maple neck, but I never let a guitar ever get put in a position for that as I clean my necks about every 3 string changes. Besides on just about every Fender Maple neck there is a clear coat and you should not use anything but a moist polishing cloth with a little moisture.

There are different compounds for different finishes. I work in the paint shop at Fender in Corona, California for a few years in the late 80's. We were using (3) different materials then, depending on the model. If the scratches are not deep the above advice should work. Just for general info for other thread followers if you ever get a dent from a drop you can take a wet rag and heat it with a solder iron and pull them out. Nothing major of coarse, just minor dents.

I went to 3 auto parts places and none had the Mothers 3 step products. So I went with the 3M swirl remover Lomitus suggested. It did a bang up job! After 4 hours of buffing all of the scratches (except for the single worst one) are gone! It even got the minor buckle rash on the back!

Also worth noting. The same product DOES work on pickguards, though not near as well.

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"