2007 Rickenbacker 330 paint issue - am I totally fu*ked?

[BadgerDave]

I recently acquired a RIC 75th Anniversary 330.

It had some surface scratches that I decided to address using Stew Mac polishing compounds.  I've used these materials many times with excellent results.

I was shocked to see that the RIC finish reacted to the polishing compounds in a very negative way.  Normally the compound is applied with a foam pad attached to a  low speed  battery powered hand drill.  It's spread over the finish, then left to dry for a minute or two.  The material dries to a white powder which is then wiped off with a microfiber cloth.  This process is repeated with sequentially finer grits.

When I attempted this with the 330, the compound did not dry. It remained on the finish as a greasy, sticky film, possibly melting into the finish.  I also noted that there were fingerprints on the back of the guitar resulting from simply touching that area with the compound residue on my fingers.

I researched Rickenbacker finishes and found that there is a lot of speculation and mystery floating around on the RIC forums and that the company says it's a "UV cured Catalysed Poly" .

I've added photos.  Has anyone ever encountered anything similar and, if so, is there a remedy other than stripping and refinishing the guitar?

I tested the same materials on a Warmoth Polyurethane finished body and had no adverse effects, so I'm confident that the Stew Mac products are not defective.

[Stike]

If it was polyester, uv cure or otherwise that should not have happened.

[BadgerDave]

After further messing around with the this, I'm becoming convinced that a previous owner applied a thick coat of some kind of wax.  I've tried applying goo gone, naphtha and Mcguires swirl remover to small areas.  Naphtha does nothing, Goo Gone w/citrus seems to cut through to the underlying poly coat, but it's barely effective and moves the cloudy gunk around, rather than dissolving it.  The swirl remover reacts with the (wax?) turning it cloudy.

So, the question now becomes: 

How do I remove wax without compromising the underlying poly finish?

Thanks!

 

[Cboss]

If it was mine I would try wet sanding a test area with 2000, I generally do this to every guitar I get unless it is absolutely perfect, 2000 wet is so fine that it cuts whatever gunk is on the surface and it also levels the surface in a microscopic way.  This leaves a dull finish

Then I polish with 3m perfectit 3 rubbing compound, this can be done by hand and a microfiber

If it's on the surface this will get rid of it

Or you could skip the wet sanding and just try that compound, that's amazing stuff, it starts out as a very fine abrasive and the action of you rubbing it or using a low speed tool Heats it, changes it and eventually turns it into a polish, it is incredible

Edited Monday at 12:30 AM by Cboss

[BadgerDave]

11 hours ago, Cboss said:

I would try wet sanding a test area with 2000,

Thanks for your suggestion.  It may come to this, but I'm trying less aggressive alternatives before sanding.  Hopefully there is something that will dissolve the wax (or whatever is sitting on top of the finish)  without damaging the polyester/polyurethane/secret mystery Rickenbacker factory finish.

My most recent thought is to apply  carnauba wax to see if it will blend with or break down whatever is sitting on top of the finish, making it susceptable to easier removal with naphtha.  

Edited Monday at 12:12 PM by BadgerDave
spelling

[stobro]

When detailing a car, removing old wax is usually done with either Dawn dish soap or isopropyl alcohol. I suppose you could try a little in an inconspicuous area and see what happens.

[topekatj]

Yeah, before resorting to the wet sanding I’d try some Virtuoso brand cleaner. I’ve safely used it on furniture that, as you say, has gunk on it that most cleaners will just move around. Start with a small section and some patches of old clean t-shirts. Wipe it on while working it in a little bit, let it dry and then wipe the residue off. Repeat as needed. Good Luck 

ETA: wear latex gloves 

Edited 18 hours ago by topekatj