How to slow down satin finish wear?

[jjacket]

Hi, I'm new to the forum.
I've got a Martin DM that's really showing wear.
Here's a pic:

I don't mind the look, it's my workhorse guitar.
It's just getting worse pretty quick.

What are my options for stopping or slowing down the wear?
Possibly brushing some kinda clear sealant over the spots?

[juice22]

No suggestions to help with your question, but just wanted to post because this is relevant to me as well since I own a DM that I absolutely love.

Honestly, I actually look forward to mine showing some wear like yours! Workhorse guitar is right...these are a heck of a lot of guitar for the money.

[Treenewt]

Play it man. Anything you do will prob just be a temporary fix. If your playing style is causing that in short order, the best solution is modify your style. However, if you're happy, then keep on. Play that thing!

[Dru Edwards]

Hi Jacket, I just wanted to Welcome you to the AGF.

Regarding your guitar, do you strum in that location intentionally for tonal reasons or are you 'wild' with your strumming? I'm wondering if a small pickguard there may save a future hole.

[jjacket]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Hi Jacket, I just wanted to Welcome you to the AGF.

Regarding your guitar, do you strum in that location intentionally for tonal reasons or are you 'wild' with your strumming? I'm wondering if a small pickguard there may save a future hole.

Thanks!
I think it's happening more from "wild" strumming. My live dynamics all depend in the moment.

[DenverSteve]

Welcome. All you can do is control your pick or install pick guards.

[Bowie]

If you decide to coat it, you can use sand paper to get a finish close to satin. Around 2000 to 2500 will work and you can buff it with a cotton rag to get more sheen if needed.
Oh, and do it before the raw wood gets dirty/discolored.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by jjacket

What are my options for stopping or slowing down the wear? Possibly brushing some kinda clear sealant over the spots?

You can paint the worn-through areas with a low viscosity superglue, or get a guitar repair tech to do it for you. On one of my longtime workhorse guitars, there was a spot on the edge of the soundhole where I'd worn through the lacquer to the bare wood below. Very much like what you've done on your guitar, though in a smaller area.

Maybe fifteen years ago now my guitar repairman painted the affected areas with superglue, and the damage was arrested and hasn't gotten any worse since then. It's not blindingly obvious what was done to it, either - it just looks as though some clear brush lacquer has been painted in there.

So the damage hasn't magically been turned invisible, but it's not glaring, either. It just looks as though the guitar has been well-played for many years, which it has.

So that's an approach that's both inexpensive and effective. You shouldn't get charged any more than the shop minimum, which at most guitar repair shops is for a half hour's worth of work.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[The Bard Rocks]

I'd concentrate on getting my elbow back some so your pick travels over the sound hole. That should eliminate that kind of wear. It will also change how your guitar sounds, which you may like.

[teleamp]

Superglue, as suggested by WHM, and practice a little self control with the pick hand.

[jjacket]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

You can paint the worn-through areas with a low viscosity superglue, or get a guitar repair tech to do it for you. On one of my longtime workhorse guitars, there was a spot on the edge of the soundhole where I'd worn through the lacquer to the bare wood below. Very much like what you've done on your guitar, though in a smaller area.

Cool! I'm gonna give this a try.
Thanks for the info!