Official Luthiers Forum!

I just picked up a 71 d-18 and the finish on it is very brittle and easily ding-able (not a word). Is there anyway to apply something over the top of it to strengthen it up?

Also, off the finish subject, there is a little bit of bulge under the bridge. Is this normal for a 40 year old guitar?

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Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma

I would not attempt to touch the finish, there are more ways to make it worse than to make it better, a pic would help.
Again, without a pic it's hard to say if the belly is OK or not. Most Martins develop a slight belly behind the bridge, and that's perfectly fine.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

I'm with Laurent on this. A well aged Martin lacquer finish is nice and thin and can ineed be easily dented but over spraying or adding anything is a mistake and will significantly devalue the guitar.

No and yes.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I agree with Howard and David L. Sometimes you can fix it till its broke .

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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

One exception may come up. I agree, don't touch the the finish- in 99% of situations.
However, as a dealer in the 70's, I sent out some guitars that, for whatever reason,
came through with extensive crazing of the finish. Can't be sure what caused it,
weather etc. But in cases like that, you don't have a lot of options. One that has
worked is Butyl Cellosolve. It can be sprayed on the finish, left over night, and it will
often make a big difference in the finish checking. They you can lay done some very light
nitro coats over top and get a good result. But again, this is a rare example and should
only be tried if a refinish is the only other option. It can produce good results.
It's available through a number of finish supply companies and is good to have around
for those rare situations where it's indicated.

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Bruce Herrmann
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."