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Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2015 3:07 pm
by 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.

Re: Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:30 pm
by 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.

Re: Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:17 pm
by 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.

Re: Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:41 pm
by Diane Kauffmds
Do you know, specifically, what agent was used to finish the top?

Re: Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 5:38 am
by hanksnowy
Either catalyzed polymer finish or a product called chem sheen which may be a catalyzed polymer.

Re: Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:48 am
by tippie53
the D 15 is using chemsheen and it is very hard to steam out a dent with a finish.

Re: Small dents in a D-15M mahogany top

Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:02 am
by hanksnowy
Case closed. Thankyou Tippie.