Removing pickguard ‘shadow’ on new Martin OM-28

[cloalpz]

Hello - I just picked up a new Martin OM-28 and typically the first thing I do is remove the pickguard. I’ve never used anything more than my fingers and Ronsonol with great success. In this case there’s a grayish ‘shadow’ that was left behind. I doesn’t appear to be the typical tan line but instead it’s a grayish smudge that starts right where the pickguard stopped. I’ve tried removing it with Ronsonol and Eternashine Players Kit with zero success. Has anyone seen anything like this and any idea on how to remove?




Thanks!

[mirwa]

The smudge is likely from someone having hand polished the top and transferred some of the polish from the pickguard area to the top area

Steve

[phavriluk]

Maybe call Martin customer support and ask? OP says it's a new guitar. I can't see a good reason for this condition to exist on a new instrument. If it was my problem I wouldn't try any remedy that Martin themselves didn't suggest first.

[John Arnold]

I would try a fine polishing compound.

[gfirob]

That really just looks like dirt or some kind of residue on the top. I'd just try some polish first or maybe some naptha and see if that cleans it up and then try some very gentle abrasive.

Or take it back and complain and let them fix it.

[cloalpz]

Thanks all! I’ve tried naphtha and Player's Kit Guitar Polish and Scratch Remover By Eternashine with no success. Is there another polishing compound or gentle abrasive you’d recommend?

[Quickstep192]

I’ve used Meguiar’s Show Car Glaze. The abrasive is very mild.

[DenverSteve]

I've used Meguiars SCRATCH X 2.0 for years. It removes surface scratches on gloss-finished guitars. Not to be used on matte or Authentic finishes. I've also used it to gloss matte finishes for entire guitars, again, without issue and perfect results.

[cloalpz]

Thanks Quickstep and DenverSteve. I placed an order for Maguiars and it’ll be here today. I’ll report back on the results

[cloalpz]

Success! Or at least close enough . I went with meguiars scratch x 2.0 and used the included drill bit buffer (the kit is available on Amazon). It took about an hour and a number of passes (glad I had the buffer or it may not have worked). I was careful to stay away from the bridge so there’s still some shading left in that area. Overall I’m super happy with the outcome. Thanks again for everyone’s help.

Side note: When using the buffer cover the sound hole. I accidentally sprayed some polish on the inside of the guitar.

[Quickstep192]

The second picture kind of says it all.

Congrats!

[John Arnold]

I like positive outcomes.