Over the past few weeks I've been mainly using my Les Paul while my 62 Reissue was "safely" stored in its case under the bed.

I got it out today for a strum and to my horror the body of the guitar was covered by red crayon-type marks.

Initially I thought the inside of the case was dirty or something, but then realised that the marks were caused by the strap being pushed against the guitar by the case lid. It looks like the last time I played it, I put the guitar in its case and the strap on top of it.

What is strange is that the strap is an original Fender one, made of genuine leather! And it's black! But the marks are reddish. The colour seems to have been absorbed by the finish (the guitar is cream white) and I can't take the marks out! I've tried rubbing and rubbing using water and soap but it's not working!

Anybody here able to give suggestions?

Ceri, I seem to remember you were an expert on issues with finishes. What do you suggest I should do?

[img][img]http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae94/tremoloarm/IMG_1712.jpg[/img]

[/img]

A cutting agent should take most of that out, try T-cut or similar.

or Meguiars Cut Cleaner...

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Epi USA Texan '64 RI signed by Paul McCartney
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And My Frankenstein-O-Caster

Does the guitar have one of the ultra thin finishes?

It looks to me like its not a "mark" on the finish but "removal of the finish"

Be careful you do not do more damage trying to undo.

Call Fender

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I remember when we were free!

I'm no expert, but that was my first thought as well.

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The finish is Nitrocellulose Lacquer - not sure if it's thin...

It's a 62 American Vintage Reissue.

Upon closer inspection, I can see there are more marks, essentially in all places where the strap has been rubbing against the body.

I can't see where the strap could have been "rubbing" against the body inside the case when it wasn't being moved around.....more than likely it is a chemical reaction of the strap dye to the nitro finish....the black dye vs. creamy white guitar finish would probably appear to be reddish or pinkish in color.
just my thoughts without seeing it...pictures are sometimes blocked here at work.

Hi Rebelsoul
Actually, the case was not moved around at all. The strap was just pressed against the guitar for the whole time (may be 2 weeks or so) in the same location / spot...

If you have a good 10x magnifier take a look to see if the paint is gone or just stained.

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I remember when we were free!

Don't have one unfortunately...
It looks like when you have an internal bleeding (sorry about the surgical term)... i.e. the mark is on the "inside". I will try to take some close up photos tomorrow.

So how does the T-Cut work? Like an abrasive? Is it not going to make the treated area area whiter then the rest?

Here are 3 more photos:

T-Cut is a product found in the UK. It is just a polishing compound and is an abrasive. Get the finest stuff you can. It's used as the final step in giving a guitar its glossy finish.

A similar thing happened to one of my guitars. I had some of the black from the inside of a case end up on an edge (after a gig, there was still some sweat on it when I put it away). It won't take much rubbing to remove the marks, so stop when they are gone and you won't hurt the finish at all.

I use 3M brand "Scratch and Swirl" remover found in the automotive section of your nearest department store; about $5 (cheaper than the same stuff sold in a music store). It's equivalent to like 2000 grit sandpaper and will restore a mirror-like finish. Just do small sections at a time, using bits of old cotton towels, by hand.

For example, Stew-Mac has 4 different grades of the polishing (rubbing) compounds. You need to use the finest.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

A good example of the inferiority of lacquer.

Hi tremolo arm, how's it going?

What a weird sense of deja vu I'm getting here. Is this the same white Strat you previously had this other finish problem with?

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=26840

The end of that story was that Mr tremolo arm drove into town and visited me and my wife at her office. We sat with the white Strat and I had a bottle of the famous T-Cut ready, but in fact the red stain the guitar had picked up that time around had faded almost to invisibility just with vigorous polishing, so further treatment was not necessary.

We also tinkered with the nut on that and another Strat of Trem Arm's in a vague attempt to improve the return-to-zero function of the bridge. Unfortunately, I didn't have my nut files with me so I doubt we achieved very much.

TA will also recall that I offered to make him a new nut - a promise I have yet to fulfill. Forum user Twelvebar may have more to say on the subject of my tardiness...

Trem Arm, the good news nutwise is that my nut making has taken some steps forward into new and interesting territory over the last year or so since we drank that beer together. May have new things to offer in that direction if you're interested:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... start=1305

Now. What about this white lacquer...?

Cheers - C

Hey Ceri
How are you doing, old sport? All OK in good old Peckham?
Seems to me I am only logging onto the forums to share my woes, whereas you are always here to help people.... like me...

Yes, it is the same Strat. "That" mark of a year ago pretty much went away, but it was much more subtle. This one is really heavy and evident. I have not tried the T-Cut product but I'll go to Halfords tomorrow and let you know. Anything else that you might recommend?

On a different topic, I installed the Tremsetter AND a Graph nut. The tuning is really solid now! Very happy.

So what new nut techniques have you learnt then?