The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Hi, This is my 1980 VS600, serial: 0100523 just finished restoring her.
Probably one of the easier ones I have done from my collection lately & she is 100% original.
Mainly minor finish repairs, dints, buckle rash etc.
Leveled & dressed the frets, cleaned the fretboard, striped & cleaned the bridge, replaced one tuner, cleaned & lubed the pots & a full setup & thats about it.

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My Guitars- http://matsumokuguitars.com/

Trev, she looks amazing!
Now I feel like I didn't do as good a job on mine as I could have...thanks a lot for that!
(Mind you it was a mess to begin with)

It's darn hard to pick a favourite Mats, but the VS600 is right up there. I just love playing mine. Hope yo uenjoy yours as much!

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"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
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Good work, there, mate; that sure is pretty!

Amazing job Trevor..

Would you mind explaining your method? You did some drop filling, are you using crazyglue for that? for the buffing and polishing, what are the steps you take?

I'm still having a hard time buffing them so that no swirl mark remains...

P.

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MAA Member since June 29th 2009, taking one baby step at a time..... and failing miserably!

Hi Frenchy,
I drop fill with whats marketed here as SuperGlue.
Its just your basic Cyanoacrylate Adhesive.
I work with wet & dry paper (using wet)
Starting with 600 grit, then 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 through to 2000.
Then I Buff twice with a medium foam pad using AutoGlym Ultra fine Renovator, which is designed to work from 2000 up.
After that only a few very light swirls will remain.
I then change to a fine foam pad on the buffer and go over it all with Malco Scratch & Swirl Remover.
If after this, you find any scratches you have missed, just spot sand with an appropriate grade paper finishing again with 2000 and repeat buffing procedure.
The products I use on the Buffer are available from Automotive paint supply places, there are many different brands available.
I use these particular brands olny as they are what is available to me, no other reason.
Basic general purpose cutting & buffing compounds are way too coarse & leave lots of scratches behind.
If you have used a coarse compound, re-sand with 2000 wet then follow buffing procedure above.
And thats pretty much all there is to it.
This process also removes all of the orange peel from the factory finish, so you will have a better than new, mirror finish when completed.
Cheers.

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My Guitars- http://matsumokuguitars.com/

Thanks Trevor!

I found my problem... I was using buffing compound... It was leaving lots of little scratches and i was wondering why I could not get the shine both you and Racing were getting. Back to the hardware store to pick up some foam pads.

P.

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MAA Member since June 29th 2009, taking one baby step at a time..... and failing miserably!

Hi Trevor,

Very impressive work ! That thing is absolutely stunning

(And thanks for the tips !)

Cheers,
Scott

Trevor Dude...

Your guitar is just fricking beautiful. That's one of my all time uncle Matt faves.

Thanks for the re-finish techniques.

I have a VS600R which is in pretty good shape but could use a little help.

Trevor,

you mention you use AutoGlym Ultra fine Renovator. That's not available here is California.

I have a feeling it is similar to either Meguiars' #7 pro glaze, or Meguiar's #9 swirl remover. I'm not sure which is finer cut but I think it is #7.

I use #7 with a buffer bonnet to remove oxidation from my cars prior to waxing. By hand it would be too much work. Leaves a deep wet finish. I use it on my guitars too.

Nexat time I will try #9 to see which is finer cut.

No idea on the Meguirs, sorry.
Always been to expensive for me.
Just go to an Automotive paint suppliers, they will be able to advise you on what they recommend for finishing from 2000 up.
Professional products & a 1/4 the price of Meguirs, you'll never look back.
Just a quick note on the polishing method I outlined above.
I was describing the method I use starting with sanding a repair (600).
If its just wear & scratches you are trying to remove I'd probably start with 1200 wet and finish as above.
cheers.

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My Guitars- http://matsumokuguitars.com/