Repairing small dings in gloss finish

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Author Message karl Intermediate Member Username: karl Post Number: 173 Registered: 7-2002 Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 8:45 am:    Hi guys, Just wondering if any of you have had any experience of repairing small dings and dents in the gloss finishes on your Alembics? I play out a lot, four or five nights a week, and use my Alembic pretty much full-time, so it's inevitable that it picks up the occasional ding here and there. The latest one came when a butterfingered drummer dropped a big heavy drum mic, just as he was passing in front of my stand. Mic came down on the lower horn of my bass and put a dent, around 5mm radius, in my nice quilted maple top. Ouch. I know, if it ain't under your face, it should be in the case ... but sometimes these things happen. Anyway, back to my original question - has anyone done any home repairs to fill and buff out the finish (I'm pretty sure the wood underneath is undamaged)? How did that go and what techniques did you use? And what kind of finish is on my SC Deluxe? Obviously, I would practice on a scrap body I have laying around the studio before I tried anything on the Alembic. I just thought it would be kinda nice to do these minor touch-ups myself as and when these things happen (as they surely will again). Or would you always recommend getting a professional to do the job? Or, as our fondly-remembered Paul TBO used to say, do you think it's best simply to go with a strong mind and light heart and live with it? lbpesq Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4507 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 9:04 am:    I seem to remember Mica talking about filling small dings with super glue. You might want to give her a call. Bill, tgo terryc Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1290 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 2:13 am:    Has the dent broke the finish or has the finish molded to the dent. If the first then use superglue and build up the layers slowly or a clear polyurethane coating. Once built up use a fine polishing paste(the automotive type that removes fine scratches) to flaten the repair. If the second type then this is more difficult, if it is large then it would require a more layers of coating. These accident are inevitable when playing live, my Squier P bass is testament to that, more dents than a car wreck!