Repairing Finish on Taylor Big Baby
 

I have a Taylor Big Baby that apparently the finish at the edge of the top had thinned where the first owner rested his arm. While polishing the guitar, I apparently have removed some of the finish at the edge of the top as shown in the photo. I have some Mohawk Satin Finish waterborne laquer spray finish from a previous repair of a headstock on a Big Baby. Could you overspray this area with the can of laquer that I have to touchup the finish. If there is a better way I would appreciate any advice on repairing this finish.
Thanks,
Clifford

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Yes.

Whilst Taylor guitars are finished in a uv clear, you can still apply any paint over the top of them, you will likely have some witness marks / shadows from the area where you terminate the new finish and the old original one.

Steve

Thanks Mirwa,
I have decided to leave the finish alone. It might look worse than it does now.
Clifford

The big baby Taylor is not UV polyester finish. Taylor uses a thin varnish on those.

As you doubtless know, there are all kinds of ways to do this sort of touch-up, all of them risky in one way or another. I do know what I would do, though I can't offer it as a firm recommendation because it might not really work... I would wipe on a truly minimal amount of either varnish or shellac to deal with the bare wood, and let the rest go. I have had pretty good luck using shellac for these kinds of halfway repairs. It generally allows the blemish to become far less noticeable, but doesn't come close to being an actual finish repair. As you have decided, not touching or trying to "fix" honest playwear is an excellent option, too.

Mr Fingers,
Do you clear varnish, or I see Zinsser has an amber shellac?
Clifford

Use "super pale platinum blonde" or platina.

Like this: http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and...e_Shellac.html

There are cheaper prices from other vendors for pound quantities (and half a dozen colors are offered).

Thanks Jon.

I just perused Taylor's website, yes it appears the big baby's use a varnish, I was unaware they used varnish on this model.

I will give taylor a buzz tomorrow on whether this was with on all models of the big babys or just the current releases.

If it's a varnish, then I would re-apply varnish or just rub some shellac in.

Steve

Thanks Mirwa,
I appreciate the help.

Yes, they've used varnish on them all along, the baby too.

Last I checked in with Taylor, they were using TCP global's "conversion varnish" on these and all other non-gloss Mexican made taylors. I've had good luck blending with deft satin lacquer