French polish repair

[Renee Labordus]

I have an older (well 2008) classical with a spruce French polished top.
It has nail marks and string dings which I want to repair.
I am thinking filling with zpoxy to get things started.

Any thoughts, alternatives, or recommendations?

[ken cierp]

Pictures?

For sure "not" Zpoxy

Are you going to strip off the finish?

[Renee Labordus]

Did not intended to strip entirely.
I thought I could just fill the nail marks, sand smooth, and FP locally.

[ken cierp]

Pictures please otherwise it's just guess

[Renee Labordus]

Here is a pic of a previously repaired crack. The repair looks terrible, but the sound has not been adversely affected.
The nail marks are not very apparent on the pic. When I first got the guitar (used and sight unseen) I didn't like it.
But over time as I started to play it more and more, it has become one of my favorites.

Don't mind spending a few bucks having it refinished (only the top).

[ken cierp]

Here's the deal as I see it -- if those scratches are in the "wood" not just the finish layer trying to fill and apply more shellac will just make a mess and it will look really bad. Especially if there is dirt and grime in the scratches and dents. If it were mine and I wanted it pristine I would sand off the finish, remove all the scratches, dirt and grime, "steam out the dents" and prep the surface as new work. Then apply French Polish --- and a clear pick guard!

The truth is "finish coating never hides surface defects" especially fillers, and wood scratches -- and the higher the gloss the more amplification of the flaws. $.02

[Renee Labordus]

The scratches are in the wood without a doubt, so I am going to heed your recommendation.
I am not familiar with the terms "steam out the dents" however. How is that done please.

If I haven't thank you yet for all your help. THANK YOU.