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I have a friend with an older Taylor, matte finish. Why did any of the makers go to this finish? Mostly I see it on mahogany bodies. Is it polyester? Is it considered valuable? Do folks ever refinish these?

Mike

Just a different look than the usual gloss. Probably cheaper than polishing. I dunno what Taylor uses...it varies by model year I think
I like a matte finish on some guitars, like this one... viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=38120

I've been told it's a conversion varnish. The gloss is a UV polyester.

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Brian

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

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Hmm. Conversion varnish. That makes sense. To remove it would be a mess. Toxic strippers.

And then, still no gaurentees.

Mike

Why do you want to remove it? Some folks have successfully buffed out Taylor's matte finishes if that is the look you're after.

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May not buff out clear if it has a flattener added. You can most likely spray nitro right over it, but there could still be the issue of a flattening agent.

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Brian

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

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I would be quite surprised if it was anything but the satin version of their regular finish.
Three base coats, sand level, satin coat...no buff, price comes down...

I wouldn't bother refinishing a mat finished Taylor. I'd trade it in for a glossy one. I don't think that the work involved would be worth the end result. Why spend a few hundred dollars refinishing a guitar when Taylor probably has a gloss version of the same guitar for the same or less money.

I don't like Taylor's satin finish. It look OK but it squeaks when it brushes against your arms and body. I find it really annoying.

Price goes down? Not according to any build to order sheets I've seen. I think if they finish the guitar on a sunny day there's an upcharge (Sorry, just annoyed at the cost of a BTO Taylor......)

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Their regular finish is Polyester. UV cured. Only way to get it off is spend days sanding or a heat gun.

I agree the effort is high. Lets say he decides against doing that. The only other thing he wants is the pickguard removed and a pickup installed. Low heat from the gun to take the pick guard off?

Mike