Members BTR@GTRHERO Posted July 15, 2012 Members Share Posted July 15, 2012 So I've got a Martin acoustic guitar that I vandalized myself one crazy night. I sort of regret it. I wrote all over the solid wood top. the top has no gloss to it. Please help. I want it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FretFiend. Posted July 15, 2012 Members Share Posted July 15, 2012 It usually takes acetone or lacquer thinner to get Sharpie marks off, BUT THAT WILL ALSO LIKELY RUIN THE FINISH! You might try a dab in an inconspicuous spot to see, but don't be pissed if it dissolves the finish. Try Mineral spirits or naphtha. If that won't do it, you're {censored} out of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pitar Posted July 15, 2012 Members Share Posted July 15, 2012 If the top is HPL take an orbital sander to it if the acetone doesn't do the trick. If it's a solid or laminate wood top she's a goner. I suggest you do what you can with the acetone, either way, have a burst finish applied and sell it as a custom. It may take about 50 coats of paint before the Sharpie ceases to bleed through but just think Gibson. Joking, folks. Joking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TESmith Posted July 15, 2012 Members Share Posted July 15, 2012 A little of the gojo original formula non abrasive hand cleaner rubbed in til it liquefies and wipe off repeat if needed It is actually very gentle, I have used this on many types of finishes on woods including Delicate antique wood furniture with amazing results Also used it to clean all the wood and trim in my 111 year old house it is actually mentioned in forums about antique restoration UI was skeptical but tried it and was sold (another case of not what it was for but does great at it!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Opa John Posted July 15, 2012 Members Share Posted July 15, 2012 How drunk/high were you when you scribbled on it.......really? Try Zippo or Ronsonol lighter fluid on it. If that doesn't work (probably won't), see if you can rent one of these for about one minute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted July 15, 2012 Members Share Posted July 15, 2012 Rubbing alcohol but I don't know what it would do to the finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted July 15, 2012 Members Share Posted July 15, 2012 Which model Martin do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 Which model Martin do you have? Most contemporary Martins are still good old nitro cellulose lacquer. Lots of the solvents that have been mentioned above will react with nitro. The only thing that I'm pretty sure won't is naptha (lighter fluid) but test it on a very out of the way location (back of headstock, maybe the neck heel. It is very likely that it won't remove the sharpie ink. Glad to hear you "sort of regret" it, I suppose writing on it is better than smashing it or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members revans513 Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 Try a product called Magic Eraser. It's actually just a sponge.......dampen (not wet just barely damp) and give it a try. I've used them with amazing results. I don't think it will harm the finish, but try it somewhere and try first. It might take a few minutes, but I have been able to remove Sharpie poop from all kings of surfaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarist21 Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 The other option is to try sharpie-ing the whole top to match... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members espec10001 Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 I'd just say F it. It still plays doesn't it? Just say it's an "artistic" modification. Or take the sharpie and draw all over the thing, like a cover-up tattoo job. "Hey, this is an ULTRA rare custom one-of-a kind Martin!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 Hmmm. The OP mentioned "the top has no gloss to it" so I wondered if it was satin or something else. How 'bout those "X" series guitars, still nitro? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 This: The other option is to try sharpie-ing the whole top to match... Are both starting to sound like good ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Starrshine Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 I have had good luck with this stuff:http://www.mikestools.com/BC016-Howards-New-Restor-A-Shine-Burnishing-Cream-Super-Fine-16z-1-Pint.aspxI just used it to get some super glue off of an area on a mando. It did not take the finishBob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 I keep a tub of that stuff in the garage but never tried it on anything besides my hands. Interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mymartind35 Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 Try Meguiar's Scratch-X 2.0 it'll take that junk off and also take a lot of the pick scratches off you guitar. You can get it at any auto parts store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Michael Martin Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 My daughter got Sharpie (actually it was permanent-ink drawing pens) all over my Yammie, but I have no regrets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members masterbuilt Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 My daughter got Sharpie (actually it was permanent-ink drawing pens) all over my Yammie, but I have no regrets! Michael, do you have a finished picture of the guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TESmith Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 I keep a tub of that stuff in the garage but never tried it on anything besides my hands. Interesting... Google " gojo to clean wood work" lots of discussion about this.I have a neighbor that runs a clock repair business, he specializes in antique clock repairHe had heard about this but never tried it as he was worried about results on some of the valuable (High end) clocks he repairs and restores.After seeing my results on some of the things I have used it for, he took a bit of mine and gave it a try.......Now it is his "secret go to" he uses it all the time on all types of finishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Michael Martin Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 Michael, do you have a finished picture of the guitar? Yep--although not such a great pic. I'll try to take a better one when I get home in August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Blanchard Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 Yep--although not such a great pic. I'll try to take a better one when I get home in August. I like that. Very unusual and a family connection to boot. Maybe if my Yamaha 12-string doesn't sell... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarist21 Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 WHOA! MM, your daughter is AWESOME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 0000 steel wool. The finish is satin already so no problem. These liquid polishes with mild abrasives will get you glossy spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alan Roberts Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 That is really cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Michael Martin Posted July 16, 2012 Members Share Posted July 16, 2012 WHOA! MM, your daughter is AWESOME. Don't I know it She's now about to start year 2 at the U of Iowa, double majoring in drawing/painting and creative writing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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