Need advice on refinishing - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

MikeDingas · 04-27-2008, 02:50 PM

I'm selling an old guitar (Mosrite double-neck) but the paint has seen better days. I'm told 'original paint' makes it more valuable. The paint has lots of hair-line cracks and I'm wondering is there some way to fix this without removing the paint? I'm guessing that the paint has some kind of protective coating like poly but I'm not sure. The guitar was made in the late 1960's so I can't be sure of the top-coat, if there is one. It might just be a high-gloss enamel paint. Any suggestions on repairing the paint?

thecopperfish · 04-27-2008, 05:05 PM

If you want the biggest bucks for it, leave it as is. Original condition is always worth more to the collectors, and they are generally the ones with the most money.
My 2 cents worth,
Chris

sawdustus · 04-28-2008, 11:58 AM

As an inveterate watcher of the Antiques Roadshow, Leave it Alone. Changing the finish on an old piece can reduce its value by more than 50%. The patina (dirt and grime don't usually count but crackling of the finish does) is what collectors want in an old piece. So gently clean the dirt off, but leave the crackling and wear marks. They are part of the history of the piece and are an important component of its value.

George

knothead · 04-28-2008, 12:11 PM

Mike,
I still am waiting to see a three handed person that can play one of those.

Tom

workin for wood · 04-29-2008, 07:56 PM

I don't know the answer. Leave it be is what I would do. Very cool looking guitar. I don't know why you are selling it, I'm sure you have your reasons. I'd box it up with some silicone packs and put it in the attic.

MikeDingas · 05-03-2008, 02:43 PM

Final follow-up...

I've taken the guitar to a local muscian with a pretty good studio for repair. He'll adjust the necks, check out the 'electronics' and re-tune the bridges.

His opinion is that checking and nicks form the 'character' of the piece. Removing the finish, or repairing the checking and nicks would devalue it. He has several 1960's vintage guitars so I'll follow his and everyone's here advice. Don't touch.

Thanks to those who responded. I know it's not the usual topic for a scroll saw message board.

minowevie · 05-03-2008, 09:51 PM

Hi Mike, I think you got some great advise hear.

I was looking at your two arm cytar, and the ones I have seen was a 6 string, retum and 4 string. base,, . this seems to be a 6 string, and a 13 string. how cool. I was wondering how much you are asking for it. and does it have any cracks? On the drum. and are the string holders warped at all. I might be interested. your freind Evie

04-27-2008, 05:05 PM	#2
thecopperfish Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oregon USA Posts: 1,139	If you want the biggest bucks for it, leave it as is. Original condition is always worth more to the collectors, and they are generally the ones with the most money. My 2 cents worth, Chris __________________ What! There's no coffee?!!

04-28-2008, 11:58 AM	#3
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,578	As an inveterate watcher of the Antiques Roadshow, Leave it Alone. Changing the finish on an old piece can reduce its value by more than 50%. The patina (dirt and grime don't usually count but crackling of the finish does) is what collectors want in an old piece. So gently clean the dirt off, but leave the crackling and wear marks. They are part of the history of the piece and are an important component of its value. George __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426

04-28-2008, 12:11 PM	#4
knothead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: ARIZONA Posts: 811	Mike, I still am waiting to see a three handed person that can play one of those. Tom __________________ Tom ____________________ If you always do what you've always done, You'll always get what you have always gotten.

04-29-2008, 07:56 PM	#5
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,447	I don't know the answer. Leave it be is what I would do. Very cool looking guitar. I don't know why you are selling it, I'm sure you have your reasons. I'd box it up with some silicone packs and put it in the attic. __________________ Jeff Powell

05-03-2008, 02:43 PM	#6
MikeDingas Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 791	Final follow-up... I've taken the guitar to a local muscian with a pretty good studio for repair. He'll adjust the necks, check out the 'electronics' and re-tune the bridges. His opinion is that checking and nicks form the 'character' of the piece. Removing the finish, or repairing the checking and nicks would devalue it. He has several 1960's vintage guitars so I'll follow his and everyone's here advice. Don't touch. Thanks to those who responded. I know it's not the usual topic for a scroll saw message board. __________________ Mike Craftsman 16" VS, Puros Indios and Sam Adams! Scrollin' since Jun/2006 My Gallery http://scrollcrafters.com (reciprocal links welcomed)

05-03-2008, 09:51 PM	#7
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,299	Hi Mike, I think you got some great advise hear. I was looking at your two arm cytar, and the ones I have seen was a 6 string, retum and 4 string. base,, . this seems to be a 6 string, and a 13 string. how cool. I was wondering how much you are asking for it. and does it have any cracks? On the drum. and are the string holders warped at all. I might be interested. your freind Evie

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