Official Luthiers Forum!

Thank you Mr Arnold
one thing I forgot to mention
USE A MASK AND GOOD VENTILATION
I have a spray booth and to do this well takes experience . John will attest that we didn't learn finish repair in a week.
If you never worked on guitars be careful what you do.
I just had a customer ask me if I can help remove bondo from a guitar.
NO you can't Please educate yourself about what you want to do. You can ruin a valuable instrument in a quick hurry.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Well, I just got the spec sheet from Martin. And apparently it is a "catalyzed 90" finish on the top.

Not sure what year it is, but it looks newer. Almost looks more like a Taylor than a Martin with the integrated looking electronics.

Pat

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Pat

get me the serial number as an authorized martin shop I can get the details
I think this is a gpa ?? on all the standards they are using nitro
this may be a catalyzed varnish an here CA may be the option

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Model DCPA4 Custom

Pat

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Pat

Good reason to always do the test as mentioned earlier. I don't test the sound hole but rather remove a tuner and test there.

Testing under the tuners may not tell you what the body finish is. In recent times, Martin has used a catalyzed finish on the necks, and nitro lacquer on the bodies.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

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John

Well there's another gotha then. I guess the edge of the sound hole would be a good spot then.

I have seen a lot of comments here that suggest the OP is not qualified to do the repair. I don't really understand this approach. I see he has over 2000 posts and joined in 2009. I think we should offer repair advice. Not tell him he is unqualified. I'll bet he is smart enough to take your advice to the customer and let the customer decide. I have done the same many times. Never had a failure. I guess what I am saying is, if people here are to eventually become experts, they need support. And they need to step out. They don't need nanny criticism unless they brand new.

As for my opinion, determine if its Nitro. If it is not, then reconsider doing the repair. Its really not worth it and could affect value.

Ok, peace.

Mike

In the end, its not really our decision. It is the customer's. If the customer is well informed, he can make his/her own decision. I have a Epihone in my shop now. To discourage my customer from refinishing, I mentioned value and raised repair cost. He didn't blink. He wants his "first baby" back. So, I will do it. If I don't, then someone else will, or worse, he might try it. An ephiphone is not a gibson or a martin. But still... If Willie Nelson offered me big dollars to put a new top on his guitar, I would do it. Guess I have no morals. (thats a joke)

this is a catalized nitro ( Trade name Chem Sheen ) so the repair would be much like a nitro. If he is able and has the equipment and is experienced in finish work that should help if he has never done finish work , there is a chance the repair can go wrong in a hurry. I am sure he will make an informed decision.

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Hey John. So what does the catalyzed part do? Is it still a melting finish? I would have thought it would be a cross-linked finish. In which case I would not recommend messing with it.

Edit: I found more comments on Chemsheen. But not anything about who makes it. It would seem it is a nitro based product with a hardener that speeds up the cure. John, you have source info?

many cabinet shops use this. It is a satin finish not a gloss like the D28s most is used on necks so if you worked on a satin martin neck
you worked on it. There are 2 different one the 90 and 50 that is the degree of satin.
I have used nitro and glu boost on them in the past

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it