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Does anyone know how to fix scratches or dents in Spruce tops?I`ve got a small dent where I dropped a small ruler on the sounboard.I`ts not real noticable,but I`d still like to fix it if it`s possible.
                Thanks
                   James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Dents will steam out . I use the point of a cloths iron and a damp cloth .

Cheers , Craig

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Sorry James , posted the same time as Hesh

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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James,This is a good tutorial from frets .com

Here

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Do the steam repairs work with, what I would call, dull object dings, in the neck and headstock, from a guitar getting knocked off a stand?

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Waddy

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If long leaf Maple or Mahogany yes the steam will likely remove minor dents is in the white. Harder the wood the less likely the steam is to swell the fibers.

Shallow scratches in Spruce will need to be sanded out. Here again you can swell the fibers around the scratch with steam. allow a day or two to dry out then sand or scrape out the scratch.

Sorry, I should have been clearer in my question.  I was asking because, my player, an Aria MH80 - classical, has been knocked over multiple times, and has a bunch of dings.  I was thinking I might try to lessen them, but I don't want to do more damage than already done.  I have never tested the finish, but it seems sort of thick to me.  I like the guitar, but always felt it could sound even better if it was stripped and refinished.

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Waddy

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The finish will likely blush if steamed or once you know what the finish is you can sand bak to the wood arround the dent and steam out then touch up the finish. but IMOP tha is a lot of worl for wear dings like icream stains on your white te-shirt, wear ding happen

[QUOTE=MichaelP] The finish will likely blush if steamed or once you know what the finish is you can sand back to the wood around the dent and steam out then touch up the finish. but IMOP tha is a lot of work for wear dings like ice cream stains on your white t-shirt, wear ding happen[/QUOTE]

I've had this guitar for over 20 years, and that has been my feeling.  I have grown comfortable with it, and the dings are just a part of playing at a Renaissance Festival every year.  Whatever the finish is, it is tough as nails, and to change it to something less durable would probably be a mistake.

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Waddy

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