One way to remove scratches from an electric guitar is to use a soft cloth and a mild cleanser. Gently rub the cloth over the scratch, using circular motions. You may need to do this a few times to see results. Another option is to use a product specifically designed to remove scratches from guitars. These products often come in the form of a Step 2: Apply black stain. Black stain is used to make the guitar really pop and give it a 3D look. Before applying it directly to the guitar, mix some dye in 10-20ml of hot water and apply it to the scraps to see how it behaves. Keep doing it until it is dark enough to be applied to the guitar. Stain removal. I've got a Martin X Series with a spruce top. One day after jamming on a particularly hot day, the sweat from from arm caused the bridge to drip dark stain coloring down the the guitar. I guess it's stain or dye or whatever they used to give the bridge the dark color. I tried wiping it off, even shortly after it happened but it Best way to remove the old finish is with a card scraper, or the heavy steel scrapers that Stewmac sells. Sanding off the finish will result in removing too much of the wood on the sides and back, which may "open up" the guitar more than is desirable. Scraping off the finish is also the quickest and easiest method. I've been meaning to do this video a long time now, this is the way "I" change my guitar necks from a high glossy sticky non-slidable neck to a satin slick f If it's something like a Fender, Ibanez, PRS (maybe ), ESP, Jackson, etc, etc guitar you can use the correct solvent to remove the paint. The modern poly finishes on guitars are resistant to Having said all that, the micro-abrasives in the white toothpaste should only lift a minimal amount of the clear-coat on the guitar when used as Jon has done, minimal as in 'microns' unless you scrub like with gorilla strength. So the toothpaste should not really harm the finish or even be evident after the fact, unless you know to look for it. How to remove the finish from your guitar. In this video we cover what I believe to be the three most effective ways of removing the previous finish from your guitar. As I mentioned in the All the songs in this video are JOE NORMAL.LISTEN now on SPOTIFY: Quote: Originally Posted by Jerry D. My luthier says he removes pick guards by taking a spatula and gently lifting one edge. He then drips naptha behind the pick guard to loosen the glue, and, rinsing and repeating, slowly works it off. (No hair dryer - says he doesn't want to heat up a client's guitar top). poVxo.