J. Thomas Davis Guitar Maker - Online Workshops

Removing Scratches From Pickguards

December 1, 2001

The following article describes the techniques that Gearld uses to remove scratches from plastic pickguards. Following Gearld's advice, you can restore the luster to a worn pickguard and achieve the same great results from your efforts that we do here in the shop.

Supplies needed include:

Clean towel or pad to lie underneath the instrument
Two small pieces of soft cloth for application – 100% cotton tee shirts or cloth diapers are ideal
Two larger pieces of cloth for polishing – similar to above
Small, flat back up pad – 1" X 2" eraser, hard foam, or piece of wood lined with hard felt or cork
Novus # 3 Plastic Polish – available at hobby shops – Use this specific brand!
Novus # 2 Plastic Polish

Select a work area with very good lighting – your ability to see the fine scratches left by the polish will affect the results. Be sure to place a soft, clean towel or pad on your work table in order to protect the back of the instrument. Wet one small piece of soft cloth and then wring out the excess water. Add a small amount of Novus # 3 to the damp cloth and wrap it around a flat back up pad. Polish the pick guard in firm, straight line strokes at a right angle to the direction of the scratches in the pick guard. Remove polish residue with a clean, dry, soft cloth. Re-apply and repeat polish sequence until only fine scratches remain visible. Continually turn the dry cloth to expose a clean area for polishing. Pay attention to the area that you are polishing – check to make sure that you do not over heat the area or put too much pressure on the instrument.

Apply #2 polish with a new damp cloth wrapped around the back up pad. Apply in a circular motion. This will remove the fine scratches left by the #3 polish and enable you to make sure that the pick scratches were removed by the #3 polish. Use a new dry cloth to polish away the residue. Re-apply Novus #2 and buff until you reach the desired gloss. If, at any point, you observe new scratches, change to a clean cloth.