Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

[hanksnowy]

I've always wondered if the steam trick could work on anything other than unfinished wood. I have a D-15M which has several small dents on the top that I'd like to fix. Do I attack the dents as I would on unfinished wood? What impact will it have on the finish? By the way, it's a satin finish I'm dealing with. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

[MaineGeezer]

Just guessing, the steam will probably turn the finish white, or possibly take it off. I don't know how you plan to create the steam. I take a wet cloth, put it on the spot, then put a hot soldering iron on the wet cloth above the dent. You can localize it to a fairly small area, but you'll still need to fix the finish.

[phavriluk]

Being wary and careful are good traits to possess right now. I have found that I make a bigger problem than the one I'm trying to solve when I do something I've never done before and it can't be undone if it doesn't work out right. Like the yacht salesman says, if you have to ask, you can't afford it. I think that the same principle applies to instrument repairs we haven't first taught ourselves to do on stuff that doesn't matter.

[Diane Kauffmds]

Do you know, specifically, what agent was used to finish the top?

[hanksnowy]

Either catalyzed polymer finish or a product called chem sheen which may be a catalyzed polymer.

[tippie53]

the D 15 is using chemsheen and it is very hard to steam out a dent with a finish.

[hanksnowy]

Case closed. Thankyou Tippie.