Pickguard scratches

[Charlie Bernstein]

A friend used a pick to play my guitar last night and scratched the plastic tortoise pickguard.

How can I buff out the scratches? They're not deep.

(I know the guard is supposed to get scratched, but since I just fingerpick, mine is decorative.)

Thanks!

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

A friend used a pick to play my guitar last night and scratched the plastic tortoise pickguard.

How can I buff out the scratches? They're not deep.

(I know the guard is supposed to get scratched, but since I just fingerpick, mine is decorative.)

Thanks!

Do you have a buffing wheel setup with compounds for buffing guitars? That will work. If not, there are various drill driven buffing wheels on amazon, ebay, etc that should work with automotive compounds like scratch/ swirl remover.

BTW, you did remove the thin plastic protective layer from the pickguard? I've seen them left on and they show scratches more than the actual pickguard.

[LAPlayer]

The same as on your finish. If you have a favorite scratch remover/polish, use that. I use Meguiar's Scratch X on pick-guards and over 90% of the time make them look either perfectly mint or so clean you can't see a mark without turning the guitar to look for marks. Dab onto a microfibre cloth and rub. That's the answer to your question. Most will say "it's a scratch-guard, it's supposed to get scratched", or something similar.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by Fathand

. . . BTW, you did remove the thin plastic protective layer from the pickguard? . . .

Good question!

Didn't have to. It's a '92 guitar that I bought used. But it shows very little wear, so I'm trying to keep it that way. My other flattop was a beater when I got it, so I've never had to avoid relic'ing it.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by LAPlayer

The same as on your finish. If you have a favorite scratch remover/polish, use that. I use Meguiar's Scratch X on pick-guards and over 90% of the time make them look either perfectly mint or so clean you can't see a mark without turning the guitar to look for marks. Dab onto a microfibre cloth and rub.

Sounds good. Thanks.

Originally Posted by LAPlayer

That's the answer to your question. Most will say "it's a scratch-guard, it's supposed to get scratched", or something similar.

Yup. I said "I know the guard is supposed to get scratched, but since I just fingerpick, mine is decorative" to head off those comments at the pass. Looks like it didn't quite work!

[dilver]

Try a mild automotive compound like Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound, applied by hand. You might need to do a few applications, so take your time

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by dilver

Try a mild automotive compound like Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound, applied by hand. You might need to do a few applications, so take your time

Thanks! Is it like 3M Machine Polish?

[phavriluk]

Could have been worse - - - pickguards might do what is hoped for them and save some finish damage. Talked to this friend?

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by phavriluk

Could have been worse - - - pickguards might do what is hoped for them and save some finish damage. Talked to this friend?

Naw, I wouldn't do that. He'd feel bad.

But the pickguard is now looking good. Case closed!

[fazool]

its quite a safe and effective process.

You will need a few things and it will cost you about $20


get a buffer kit lkike this from Harbor Freight and attach the buffer to your drill



Get McGuires swirl remover from the car parts store

[Robin, Wales]

I scratch my pickguards. But not with my picks. It tends to be the nails on my pinky, ring and middle fingers that cause the marks. Like a number of players I hold my pick with a fairly open hand (Tony Rice springs to mind) rather than a closed hand (Molly Tuttle).

If I keep my fingernails short then I don't mark the scratch plate as much. Pickguards are commonly called "scratch plates" in the UK, which may be a better description of what they do.

I've never tried to polish out the marks.