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I got a little careless with my scraper and inadvertently scraped my top The photo has naptha on it and my concern is what to do with the scuff, it seems to be darker with naptha? Any thoughts on how to deal with this one?

How deep is it? I'd suspect that you can sand it out but hard to tell from the picture.

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Aaron Craig

If too deep to sand or scrape out, it will need filled. Drop filling at the end of the process is an option but depending on the finish chosen and how much it yellows with age, it will likely leave it looking like a scar. I would most likely opt for a burn in repair with a clear stick somewhere in between coats of finish if it can not be removed.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

If it is a dent, I would cover it with a wet cloth for a few minutes and then apply a steam iron over the area, bring careful to not loosen the binding; I would try this before I resorted to scraping too thin or filling..

Sand it out.
Nice top wood!

Treat it to the steam process like it is a dent before sanding it out, I salvaged one like that. The steam and water swelled the wood in the scrape back about 1/2 the distance to level so it was easier to level.

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Thanks everyone for the input. I should have mentioned that I did in fact try to steam it out and it did help but not a complete fix. My biggest concern was the color difference. Unfortunately I think it's too deep to sand out so I'll give the drop fill a try when I'm finishing. Thanks again for all the info it's much appreciated!

maybe time to try a sunburst.....

If your top was over .105 I bet you are fine sanding that out. you are low on the top and here you are more under a tensional stress so you can thin this area more than you may suspect. I doubt you have more than .003 to .005 of a scratch. No matter what you do , that will show and you can sand that out without worry.
I have seen tops as low as .075 in this area and no problems after 50 years.

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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

I usually thin the edges of the lower bout to around 0.090-0.096 on most of my guitars after the box is closed but before binding. I bet you can sand it out but keep it even. What's the black inlay? Intentional or a boo boo cover up?

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

John, thanks for the suggestion I think I'll give it a try. Terence, the inlay was in fact a "booboo" I was a little deep on my end graft and my binding didn't cover it up, good catch.