DIY: The Right Way To Fix Your Guitar's Lacquer Finish!

[@MinecraftMaker]

The sandpaper mounted on clear acrylic block is genius!

[@madgeniusmusic]

It would've been nice to see the end results.

[@Superjet113]

Yeah no kidding.. lame

[@KowboyUSA]

Disappointing.

[@kosycat1]

yup that gets a thumbs down sorry stew mac

[@TylrVncnt]

0:40 They show it in the beginning

[@williamking7420]

@@TylrVncnt if so they did a lousy job.. 😂

[@LRS905]

It always makes me happy watching young people being interested in learning these kinds of crafts. I have good envy of all the abilities these people get to learn on how to work with wood, finishes and instruments.

[@budgetguitarist]

99% of everything I know about repairing guitars I learned from watching Dan's DVDs, KZbin videos, and from reading his books.

[@staypuffman5469]

And using his tools!

[@reliot6928]

Another great vid. Doing a resto, 1969 SG Pro. Going back to original hardware. Face grain mahogany plugs over arbor pressed mahogany dowels. Matching the 50 year old finish was a snap with this method. In my mock up I used heavy pore fill dabbed in random spots which created small nicks and checks. SPOT ON!! Thanks again Dan and Friends.

[@OneontaWill]

Using foam with sand paper is a great tip. Thanks for the video!

[@lukeh9199]

This is fantastic, thanks. I'd love to take one of these classes.

[@bristolfashion4421]

Thanks guys! As usual, v. helpful and informative. You are my go-to folks for the real deal when it comes to guitar fixes. Once again, I think the most useful take-away is the simple lesson to take my time and exercise patience !! You guys have a zen-like calm.

[@robphillips8351]

Hey just saying thank you for instructing us beginners, much appreciation for your knowledge and kindness to share knowledge..

[@jeffbeck6501]

StewMac is THE KING. Seriously. He gets it.

[@michaelaiello9525]

There’s always gratitude for these videos .. and occasionally there’s something left out. I’m imagining the clear coat is nitro. What if your only option is rattle can? Would have liked to see that. And that sealer coat, what was that? Thanks. 🙏🏽

[@wintersummers3085]

Neat video, but I think I'm not alone in wanting to see the final result.

[@1777DK]

It’s very frustrating, when you don’t show the end result.

[@QS-si3cq]

Equally frustrating when you don't know how to properly use a comma.

[@1777DK]

@@QS-si3cq This is the proper use in my language. I am truly sorry, that the whole world is not English natives, it must be an absolute nightmare for you personally. On behalf of the non-english-primary-language part of the world, I would like to extend my deepest apologies.

[@raindogred]

@@QS-si3cq wow, you, must be an annoying little prissy girl, to hang, around..for reals

[@ljones2087]

@@1777DK to be fair, you're writing in English...

[@1777DK]

@@ljones2087 True. If you compose a sentence in danish I will be happy to correct you. Not that there would be anything to correct as I would expect you to do a perfect job, since I simply cannot accept grammatical errors in my native tongue. Do you also correct immigrants in the streets, after all they are speaking English, so it should be perfect, otherwise they should not even bother right?

[@outsiderdf]

still left a dark outline, no wonder we didn't see the end results

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

Yeah in my book if you cannot do a perfect repair that is absolutely invisible to just leave the damage, or wear and call it relicing, lol. Nothing looks worse than a stand out of a repair job.

[@brandall101]

Yeah, I'm a bit surprised at how bad that looks given everything that was done. I was thinking it would take a sharp eye to detect the damage but it's pretty clear to the naked eye.

[@mnamka1311]

Watching you work is really relaxing

[@BoltieBolt]

Where can I take my Les Paul Gibson?. Has a really small chip. In the front it happened yesterday i live 25 minutes from Philadelphia .

[@jeffbeck6501]

This was so stressful for me to watch. When he pulled out an air brush, ....oh forget it. I was a nervous wreck. I could never do such artistry. Good thing I can play guitars well. I will leave the repairs to guys like these guys if you can find one. They are the A-Team. POW POW POW POW POW POW

[@MrYatesj1]

Solid job, I would love to attend a few workshops and learn how to better mod my fenders for ultimate tone.

[@dennissilber287]

I knew Lark Street Music when it was in Lark Street in Albany, NY.

[@joepublic4069]

Excellent technique. Professional.👍

[@lw216316]

Help - I have a rosewood, acoustic, nylon guitar and on the back one side has a milky, faded look to it, as well as the side that rests on my leg when I am playing sitting down. What is wrong and what needs to be done to fix it?

[@ryanrobertson4001]

Great help, thank you. I have had much success with your help. It’s it possible to get a translucent white with your products?

[@darkangelo]

I had my guitar (2020 Gibson Les Paul Standard) on floor stand. My roommate mopped floors with Swiffer Jet and the spray from jet got the cleaner on bottom 1/4 of guitar from below the bridge. I had no idea at the time what had happened but now you can see tiny water ring like spots when you look close enough. Do you have any ideas of how to get those off? I have tried rubbing them out gently but they aren't buffing out. I did not want to do ANYTHING as I fear making it worse.

[@jackclark2787]

If you didn’t use aniline dye (which wasn’t mentioned), after UV exposure that ‘touch up’ will stick out like a sore thumb.

[@Sasapaolo]

Fantastic !!! I buyed today morning a Ibanez signature Satriani...do you have on your site a product for a damage similar to this in video ?

[@waybackplayback1347]

Ted Woodford just mentioned Mr. Davlin and his shop in a recent video. If you aren't familiar with either of them, be sure to check them out!

[@dangatton7138]

the head stock on my guild D50 cracked and was glued back 20 yrs. ago.. I d like to do this to the crack lines.. how about a video on that thx.

[@jameskrys5286]

I have a 1982 Ibanez Les Paul copy that has a cymbol cut thru the binding. I'm trying to figure out how to fill a cream binding boo boo. I filled a head stock chip with auto black touch up paint.

[@Mach1Airspace]

Wow, that finished product looks great! Just like it never happened! Oh wait! What am I saying? What finished product??

[@BrianHoggeMusician]

Hello! I have an interesting issue with my finish...I went to wipe it off after a gig and the towel I used had some sort of chemical on it because it smeared my finish. So I have spot on my finish that just looks a bit cloudy and smeared...how would I go about cleaning that up???? I appreciate any suggestions you or you're followers could give!!!

[@geet77777]

The high five heard round the world at the end.

[@TsidOThul]

Would an oil finish with only Danish/teak pol and then finish with wax good, or should I go for natural oil and then a couple layers Danish/teak and then wax?

[@Tinkermade]

Are you still doing classes like these?

[@TKD187]

So I have spots like this all over my acoustic I'm staining My guitar ebony , which is a black color it looks beautiful if you can do it right because you can still see the wood but there are places where I was just digging in trying to get the paint off after sanding the front I kind of learned from my mistakes and I did better on the back of my acoustic but on the front has these spots where I got down to the redwood my goal was to get right above that redwood and thin the wood out , but it did not go as planned I've already put a second coat of stain I'm trying to see what it's going to look like I was hoping that the dig marks would just look very black almost like a rotten spot on a piece of wood and I would be fine with that but if it doesn't turn out like that. Can I use the same method with stain? I cannot find a video that will tell me how I can fix this or if it's unfixable

[@donboss4465]

Very very nice work!

[@sandervisser790]

2:10 Had to laugh so hard at this. Sounds like an old married couple..

[@eldesgraciado6690]

Yeah. Sad.

[@invisibleman1028]

I have a J-200 and a small piece of hot ash landed on the guitar and made a very small hole in the finish.Is there any way to "fill" the hole in the finish ? Thanks

[@wamgoc3637]

If it's nitro yes, it can be flowed out. If it's a catalyzed finish, well, it can be improved on but will always show unless you refin the area. If it's a very small hole I'd leave it alone.

[@peterjohnjoseph]

I was just typing "legend has it, this guy once smiled", and then I see him trying something of the sort in the end picture. Phew, I thought it was going to be one of those "if a tree falls in a forest" type situations.

[@arborinfelix]

That was so beautifully done.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Wonder what the end result was like !

[@Mujcanal]

nice very interesting demo, thank you

[@rocknrollguitarcovers5654]

Dan rockin' that green tshirt+vest outfit looks like a ninja turtle!! COWABUNGA!!

[@marions.120]

Rock&Roll Guitar Covers -Donatello? Turtle 🐢

[@cristovaopt]

hi there, i removed the paint from my bass guitar, after mutch sanding, there still on the wood grain little white stripes from the previous "filler" I want to finish with a clear lacquer, the "white stripes" on the grain is pretty visible when we get close to it, what is your advice? shoud I countinue to sand it? or I will make a mistake of keeping taking wood? cheers from Portugal! sorry for mistakes

[@genepersons9741]

Enjoyed this. It seems the main guy is trying not to tell what he is doing step by step. How much is some black?

[@GerryBlue]

I'd like to know about the background music

[@karlbaltzell9847]

Shazam says it's Victory Rag by Dakota Dave Hull

[@joecarpenter5602]

I will use dry powder color CA glue and super fine sand papers. It works fine.

[@adksherm]

Im interested in guitar repair as a career. Where and what are these classes with all the students being taught by Dan? Anywhere i can find the info?

[@AleArzMusic]

Thank you!!! That's exactly what I was looking for!!!

[@69LP69]

That's pure class

[@FlyGuy2000]

Facing a similar job on an acoustic, my question is what kind of product are you using from the airbrush?

[@spiccolirocks3580]

Sanding sealer and lacquer....

[@paintitmatt]

OMG! I want to take that workshop! Seriously, will you be having more if/when the Covid-19 epidemic is under control?

[@MensreaMusic]

Dan is a national treasure!

[@newfiesig]

Goes to show you you can never fully restore damaged wood grain (not painted a solid colour). This guy is one of the best and the repair still stood out like a sore thumb.

[@yargnad]

This is the main reason it's not worth even trying to fix a finish. Play the guitar and you wont even notice it.

[@newfiesig]

@@yargnad exactly. Unless it hurts playability, then just play. I used to be bad in wanting to fix every little scratch. Kept me from playing and enjoying my instruments.

[@NathanChisholm041]

If they had masked off and re sprayed the mahogany with clear coat you wouldn't off seen it as much!

[@QS-si3cq]

@@NathanChisholm041 *wouldn't have or wouldn't've. There is no such thing as "wouldn't off."

[@Okraknife]

As I watch this, I'm repairing a guitar that some crudely carved a deep design into the back of (before I got it), but I wouldn't even consider trying to repair an R8!

[@PsychicEmanation]

learned so much from him. God Bless

[@QS-si3cq]

Let's leave fairy tale sky daddy out of this.

[@danielthompson6880]

Excellent result. Master skills.

[@theRandy712]

Did anyone else think that Ian was annoyed at Dan's questions? Anyway, that clinic looks like it's the best way for any luthier to gain some amazing skills

[@vdub1959]

Why am I reading these comments and they are all in Dan’s voice in my head? Looks pretty good from back here...

[@adoranesis9766]

Simply awesome.

[@stephencampbell2735]

Man this looks like a cool place to work..

[@pskemster]

Good tip ,,thank you for sharing,,

[@philipbeasley72]

Wax pencils would work as well. Draw the grain and shoot a clear coat or lacquer bam!

[@evanfehr3819]

nice repair videos!!!

[@michaelfajardo2034]

Still has a dark outline though. No End Result Video?!

[@TheFloridaPappy]

So, where's the finished repair? What are the "clear coats"?

[@chrisguitargarage327]

Wait. Aren't people actually buying them made like this??? LOL.

[@yargnad]

I did. Twice and they're two of my fav guitars ever. Relicing naysayers are wasting their time bashing it. I dont like black guitars but I dont feel the compulsion to tell _everyone_ my personal preferences in finish options. That being said, hand rubbed oil finishes are best. Auto paint is highly toxic and builders shouldn't have to suffer because of the finish. I've got a good friend that's been painting cars and guitars for 30 years and he has major respiratory issues.

[@rudemooddudehamburg]

Get a hobby dude. Seriously

[@mattrogers1946]

Yawn...

[@grproteus]

4:24 - superb acting skillz! :P

[@holmes1978]

That’s excellent

[@melihspots7939]

Man I wish I could do this, I have a strat that needs this bad!

[@insanusvir]

If I ever feel that I am too OCD, I'll just watch this video again to see all the work that has resulted from such a small blemish and the backside of a guitar.

[@0000song0000]

3:50 for so much trouble... i rather stick to my "tint it" and add clear nail polish method :P

[@dondeestasquenoteveo]

Anybody else know why the end result is not shown...?

[@americanbystandard]

oh hey I visited Lark Street Music regularly before this mess. i didn't know he held classes

[@DrVink86]

No result after clear? Disappointing

[@onpsxmember]

Follow the video. It was recorded before the workshop, so the clearcoating of all the pieces from the course were not finished when the video was made.

[@paulcoleman3081]

Not sure I can repair the finish on my LP after this, but I did feel a bit more masculin than usual while I was watching.

[@billmicallef4786]

Completed repair was obviously not what they had hoped for. There is no other reason for not showing end result. The title of video is " The Right Way To Fix Your Guitar's Lacquer Finish! " . However we never get to see the FIX? Maybe they should have posted a picture of the students attempt's?

[@zurdoremi]

impressive.

[@donknotts5625]

Need a good re finish person in south Florida Cant find anyone

[@U_ever]

Somebody is going to make a bloody fortune "de-relic-ing" yesterday's marketing ploy.

[@yargnad]

Never. I dont bother fixing finishes at all. Itll just keep happening. Guitars are tools first and foremost, they dont need to look pretty. Reliced guitars are more about the feel than the look in the end. Especially on necks.

[@AndrewCCM]

Exactly...this whole fake aging thing is a weird fad in my opinion. But to each his own.

[@mattrogers1946]

Yawn...

[@chrisyoung8062]

You didn't show us the final results?

[@reddsshaker3477]

Nah.....I think this was a fail. Love ya Dan....give that guy some pointers. Heck, he’s closer to me here in Baltimore....I’LL be happy to show him.

[@victorrene3852]

Quick spray of Red spray paint would have done the trick! Boom!

[@tMatt5M]

Back when people could stand next to each other. The good old days.

[@shawnmanuel9817]

Great job,but personally I would keep it like the way it was..Gives it "character. "

[@onpsxmember]

The Instrument only needs character if one's playing lacks it.

[@yargnad]

@@onpsxmember Complete asstard fallacy usually espoused by blowhards. The finish on a guitar is irrelevant beyond protecting the wood. Anyone who cares about fixing a finish has the wrong idea about guitars in the first place.

[@wabisabi6875]

Ironic how much meticulous effort is put into this repair, while other guitar owners will pay big bucks to have a new guitar with age-simulated "relic" wear and tear.

[@thepanman8]

Id rather leave the dents, scraps. Adds character

[@johnwalliss]

If the damage was on the front, they could just keep it and call it relic-ing! :-D

[@wamgoc3637]

One key to lacquer repair is that lacquer can be “flowed out” or redissolved in its original solvent, or products like butyl cellosolve, called amalgamator. Catalyzed finishes can not. Simply refinishing is often the only fix.

[@scoots8519]

It looks like American Test Kitchen only with guitar repairs.

[@frank1672]

What's the point?

[@MrOne2watch]

and no end results once again....

[@mikelee1906]

So I shouldn't use my girlfriends red lipstick?

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Gibson charge an upcharge for beat up guitars !

[@Ken-yg4um]

I would just leave it some guitar players like the way guitars age and check...

[@gregjohnson6329]

Sure wish Dan had given my G.E. Smith this kind of attention. Sent it back to me and buzzed up the neck like covid-19 bees. One of the worst jobs I've ever seen.

[@williamking7420]

Poor video when the final result isn't shown.

[@marcgabrielm]

yo what happened to the intro?

[@VladimirTisma]

For mi it doesn't qualify with DIY with all these tools and chemicals :(

[@razpaul]

Probably because the repair was obviously visible

[@kosycat1]

people are too dainty with guitars whats a few scratches here and there. might be good to seal the wood up so it doesn't suck up moister and rot but as long as it plays well. lil mojo never hurts. I hate relic guitars though, that's just a waste of time. if it happens naturally,fine