Help removing white bubbles / dots / spots / speckles in nitro finish

[seanchristopher]

Hi guys. I hope you guys can help me figure out what these are and how to remove them! There's a small patch of white bubbles / dots / spots / speckles on the side of the guitar near the top of the upper horn of the guitar.

The guitar has had the patch of bubbles since I first got it, so it seems like it is likely a factory issue with the finish or something along the lines of that.

It's completely smooth on top of the bubbles or whatever they are, so I'm not sure how deep into the finish they are. But I'm hoping they're in the top of the clear coat and that it's possible to remove them without having to refinish that area on the guitar.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this on any of their PRS' with nitro finishes?

Can anyone from the PTC or any luthiers out there help me out with how to remove these from the finish without having to re-spray or refinish?

Whether or not I can get rid of these bubbles / dots / speckles / spots, is going to determine where I send if for repairs and it'll determine how long the repairs will take.

If I can get rid of the bubbles by myself, I'll be able to send the guitar to Sweetwater for the other minor repairs, and the turnaround time is only a few weeks with overnight shipping both ways.

But if I'm not able to get rid of them, then I'll have to send it to PRS under warranty and the turnaround time is a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks, not including the 5 business day shipping both ways (8-10 business days for shipping total). So it would be about 5 to 6 weeks minimum if I have to send the guitar to PRS under warranty.

If you guys have any recommendations on how to get rid of these I'd be super appreciative!

Or if it isn't possible to do on my own without messing up the finish, then be honest and let me know so I don't ruin the guitar and I'll bite the bullet and send it to PRS and deal with double the turnaround time

 

[DISTORT6]

Looks like something was pressed into the finish. There’s a symmetrical pattern going on there.

 

[rcsrich]

Looks like something was pressed into the finish. There’s a symmetrical pattern going on there.

Agree- looks like maybe it was packed too quickly after finishing?

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Did you get it new or used? I've heard that some leather straps can react with Nitro and cause damage, but if you bought it new then it shouldn't have had a strap on it at all.

 

[seanchristopher]

Looks like something was pressed into the finish. There’s a symmetrical pattern going on there.

I never considered that! I thought it looked a little bit symmetrical as well lol.
If it's on the surface, would it be possible to remove on my own?

Agree- looks like maybe it was packed too quickly after finishing?

This scenario seems the most likely!
I'm hoping of it's just an imprint, that I'll be able to get rid of it on my own. It feels completely smooth though, so that made me think it was under the surface. But now I'm not so sure! Lol

Did you get it new or used? I've heard that some leather straps can react with Nitro and cause damage, but if you bought it new then it shouldn't have had a strap on it at all.

Bought it brand new from Sweetwater. I had them do a setup on it before I got it and it came with a few minor scratches that those techs at Sweetwater most likely accidentally left so I'm not confident they were careful with it.

 

[Rider1260]

hard to say what caused it but you may be able to buff it out , a light rubbing /polishing compound would be where I would start , try in a small area and see how it goes.
You other option is contacting the dealer and making a warranty clam , PRS would likely insist on a refinish but might say it a reaction to a chemical or bug spray or something like a strap

 

[seanchristopher]

hard to say what caused it but you may be able to buff it out , a light rubbing /polishing compound would be where I would start , try in a small area and see how it goes.
You other option is contacting the dealer and making a warranty clam , PRS would likely insist on a refinish but might say it a reaction to a chemical or bug spray or something like a strap

What kind of polishing compound should I use??
Would I use a medium cut and then a high cut compound and then a plexiglass polish? Or would I just use one kind of compound and then the plexiglass polish?
I've been talking with PRS about the finish issue and a few other issues that the guitar had. They said that it looks like the bubbles or dots are in the clear coat and they're thinking it should be able to be sanded and rebuffed.
If it ends up being deeper in the finish and a refinish is needed, is that bad for the guitar and for the color stain? And does it take a long time?
PRS is quoting me 3 to 4 weeks with 2 weeks travel time on top of that, and that's with the current needed repairs and a sand and rebuff for that finish issue. But they didn't mention how long it would take if a full refinish ends up being needed.

 

[Rider1260]

What kind of polishing compound should I use??
Would I use a medium cut and then a high cut compound and then a plexiglass polish? Or would I just use one kind of compound and then the plexiglass polish?
I've been talking with PRS about the finish issue and a few other issues that the guitar had. They said that it looks like the bubbles or dots are in the clear coat and they're thinking it should be able to be sanded and rebuffed.
If it ends up being deeper in the finish and a refinish is needed, is that bad for the guitar and for the color stain? And does it take a long time?
PRS is quoting me 3 to 4 weeks with 2 weeks travel time on top of that, and that's with the current needed repairs and a sand and rebuff for that finish issue. But they didn't mention how long it would take if a full refinish ends up being needed.

I would not use a high cut compound to easy to burn thru a thin guitar finish , a light automotive rubbing compound I'm old and still have an old can of Dupont Rubbing compound I use but Mequires products have worked well for me over the years. ( Meguiars Mirror Glaze Ultra-Cut Compound )
BUT if PRS will fix it I would go that route

 

[deathworlder]

I never considered that! I thought it looked a little bit symmetrical as well lol.
If it's on the surface, would it be possible to remove on my own?


This scenario seems the most likely!
I'm hoping of it's just an imprint, that I'll be able to get rid of it on my own. It feels completely smooth though, so that made me think it was under the surface. But now I'm not so sure! Lol


Bought it brand new from Sweetwater. I had them do a setup on it before I got it and it came with a few minor scratches that those techs at Sweetwater most likely accidentally left so I'm not confident they were careful with it.

Did you have it PLEK'd? Straps cut into the finish?

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Yeah, since it's brand new and you said it has a couple of other concerns besides the finish then I'd definitely send it to PTC to have them correct it all. Sure, no one wants to be without their guitar for an extended period but you know they'll do the best job with it, and at no cost to you

 

[pwrmac7600]

I sent mine in for full refinish on May 13th of this year and received it back in my hands on july 11th.
If that helps give you an idea of turn around time.

 

[seanchristopher]

Did you have it PLEK'd? Straps cut into the finish?

Didn't have it Plek'd

I strongly considered doing that when buying though!

 

[seanchristopher]

I sent mine in for full refinish on May 13th of this year and received it back in my hands on july 11th.
If that helps give you an idea of turn around time.

This helps a ton! Thank you
I'm worried about sending it in for 2 reason.
First one is, there's a few things being done so I'm worried it'll take a long time. I'd be sending the guitar in to have 2 tuners replaced (scratchy and not smooth tuners), the neck pocket inspected and possibly sanded down (creaking coming from neck pocket), the bubbles in the finish removed, and the nut replaced with a setup.
And second reason is, I don't have much experience shipping guitars and the idea of shipping it across the US again is pretty scary lol. The thought of the guitar getting lost in transit and being SOL is terrifying haha
I know that's not common but the situation I'm in with the guitar I got recently is one of those ones where everything has been going wrong so, I want to cover my bases. I got the guitar from Sweetwater so I'm not sure if PRS would do anything for me if the guitar got lost in transit or anything like that. They mentioned a "shipping rider" with coverage but I'm not sure what that means or what it covers.

I just got the guitar and it's a one off CE24 with a black neck and headstock and since it won't be restocked and Sweetwater has no idea when they'll get any more CE24s with black necks/headstocks, I decided to try and get the issues the guitar came with fixed.

I've seen some posts about refins taking half a year or more so I was thinking all the stuff I'd be getting done would take crazy long. Your fast turnaround time gives me hope that it might not take too long!

 

[pwrmac7600]

This helps a ton! Thank you
I'm worried about sending it in for 2 reason.
First one is, there's a few things being done so I'm worried it'll take a long time. I'd be sending the guitar in to have 2 tuners replaced (scratchy and not smooth tuners), the neck pocket inspected and possibly sanded down (creaking coming from neck pocket), the bubbles in the finish removed, and the nut replaced with a setup.
And second reason is, I don't have much experience shipping guitars and the idea of shipping it across the US again is pretty scary lol. The thought of the guitar getting lost in transit and being SOL is terrifying haha
I know that's not common but the situation I'm in with the guitar I got recently is one of those ones where everything has been going wrong so, I want to cover my bases. I got the guitar from Sweetwater so I'm not sure if PRS would do anything for me if the guitar got lost in transit or anything like that. They mentioned a "shipping rider" with coverage but I'm not sure what that means or what it covers.

I just got the guitar and it's a one off CE24 with a black neck and headstock and since it won't be restocked and Sweetwater has no idea when they'll get any more CE24s with black necks/headstocks, I decided to try and get the issues the guitar came with fixed.

I've seen some posts about refins taking half a year or more so I was thinking all the stuff I'd be getting done would take crazy long. Your fast turnaround time gives me hope that it might not take too long!

They quoted me almost 6 months, but as you can see I got it back much faster. Sent it in for the refinish, and to have the nut checked for replacement because it seemed like it was cut pretty deep from having heavier gauge strings on it. As for shipping fears, I get it I go through it every time I ship a guitar. Just pack it well and insure it and you'll be fine.

 

[seanchristopher]

They quoted me almost 6 months, but as you can see I got it back much faster. Sent it in for the refinish, and to have the nut checked for replacement because it seemed like it was cut pretty deep from having heavier gauge strings on it. As for shipping fears, I get it I go through it every time I ship a guitar. Just pack it well and insure it and you'll be fine.

Damn! That's WAY faster!

Is the "shipping rider" that PRS mentioned, the shipping insurance that I'd be getting if I were covering the shipping cost?

 

[pwrmac7600]

Damn! That's WAY faster!

Is the "shipping rider" that PRS mentioned, the shipping insurance that I'd be getting if I were covering the shipping cost?

When you ship it to them you will need to pay additional cost for insurance. When they ship it back to you they are insuring the shipment and passing that cost along to you. Insurance isn't that expensive when shipping a guitar, it is always worth buying.

 

[seanchristopher]

When you ship it to them you will need to pay additional cost for insurance. When they ship it back to you they are insuring the shipment and passing that cost along to you. Insurance isn't that expensive when shipping a guitar, it is always worth buying.

About how much should I expect the insurance for the guitar to be both ways?

And also, how would I go about getting insurance for the shipment if PRS is paying for the shipping both ways?

They're sending me a prepaid shipping label.

I haven't had to do this before so it's all new territory for me lol I appreciate the help!

 

[pwrmac7600]

About how much should I expect the insurance for the guitar to be both ways?

And also, how would I go about getting insurance for the shipment if PRS is paying for the shipping both ways?

They're sending me a prepaid shipping label.

I haven't had to do this before so it's all new territory for me lol I appreciate the help!

Oh well if they are paying round trip that's great! Just ask them if the shipment is insured and for how much. I am sure people ask them all the time.