Can anyone that has a satin finish 2005-2008 Stratocaster tell me how you keep the finish looking like new? How about rub marks, how can they be finished out to blend with the rest of the guitar? If areas become more glossy from use, can they be made dull again like the rest of the guitar?
Thanks!

keeping a neck's satin finish is a never ending battle with me so I just gave up the neck on my recent purchase is already rubbed glossy after a few weeks. but when I do take it back to a satin feel steel wool works really well. or a fine sand paper like 800 or 1000 grit. but either way you are taking finish off every time so eventually you well get down to the maple. as far as direction of sanding, sometimes I run long ways up and down the neck and sometimes I do small circular motions. it just depends on how I want it to feel for the next few weeks

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Thanks, but I'm talking about the red, or blue finish on the BODY of these MIM guitars made a while back. I've wanted one ever since I attended the SEMA (auto supplier) show last week in Vegas. The big thing was matt finishes on cars. Everything from Bugatti, and RR, on down were showing a custom matt finish, some were even wine red, perfect match of the Fender color . There were several companies selling vinyl to cover your entire car in matt vinyl (product like the clear nose/bumper treatments that have been on the market for awhile). Cars and motorcycles have been out for a few years, mostly matt grey, black, or white, but I think someone in Fender's marketing dept. was ahead of the game about 7yrs ago.

ohhh I cannot help you there. that might be difficult to get to look like new. any matt finish body I have had I ended up polishing for that same reason. i have never attempted to revert back to a matt finish but if there is a way someone here will know

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Your right! A matt finish may be asking for trouble. However, I just purchased one, so I have my fingers crossed that it will arrive in excellent condition. A local GC had one a few months ago... I wish I would have bought that one, it was like new. It would seem that pick or fingernail marks could make it look old before it's time. Thanks for your help.

These satin finishes are incredibly thin.....and will wear through to the wood fairly quickly just from playing. 0000 Steel wool will work to knock off the shine...but if you do this more than once, you are likely going to hit the wood. Cheap finish on a cheap guitar (relatively speaking).....I say just play and enjoy the guitar, and not worry so much about keeping it looking new.

Mystic Adey predicts shiny patches feature heavily in your future..

Give up now and don't waste your time. Shine the guitar up and be done with it. A good polish will also help stabilise that durability of that finish and make it less prone to marks and cracking.

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