The finish is polyester.

Isn't that the same material Leisure Suit Larry wears!!!

Yes, the mighty Polyester can use its powers for good or evil!
 
Peter
 
(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on November 19, 2012)

Polly Ester - I think I dated her in college.
 
Bill, tgo

You're a bad man Bill panzer :-)
 
Graeme

I think that was the same time I dated her roommate, Rosemary Focaccia.
 
Peter

And there I was, stuck in my room with Rosie D'Palma.
 
I must be a bass player
 
 
Anonymous-

I used to make out with Polly in my car on the back seat covered in naga hide.

Body heat is definately the cause. This '92 Elan has a heavily checked finish on the back where it rests against my body and on the top lower bout where my right arm rests while playing, with no checking anywhere else.

Is this a 'do it your self' task?

I'd suspect that would all depend on: (a) how much of a perfectionist you are,(b) whether you have the necessary equipment including a respirator, spray booth etc.; (c) your skill at using a spray gun; and (d) if you have the time and patience to do the many, many coats (with sanding in between)that would be applied by the folks at Alembic.

Just removing the damaged portion of the finish and preparing the edges for refinishing takes much longer than most folks are willing to spend. Then as Hammer says, spray, sand, repeat...repeatedly. I'd leave it to professionals if you want to have it redone.

AND, you need to spray it when it is warm out, which pretty much is a problem in winter!
 
However, it can be done. Strip or sand, wood prep and level, spray, sand, spray, repeat, let cure, rub out, play, wax after 6 months! Let it hang rather than sit in a case, for a couple of months after doing the work so it can cure more.  
 
You can actually use a rattle can if you want to, since you are going to be sanding it and rubbing it out anyway. Make sure to use the same brand of paint at all times and even then it might lift on you if you use 2 or more colors (test it first). Warm up the can in a pan of warm water before using and then shake it up. Get lots of grades of wet sanding paper and a good rubbing compound.
 
In a paint shop you could speed up the whole process. It takes a patient mind more than skill to refinish a guitar.
 
It is not expensive to do yourself and you feel a real sense of achievement afterwards.

To reinforce grtguy's quote  It takes a patient mind...
This is a table I restored using traditional french polishing methods, it took a long time..
 
Before restoration..  
 
 

And after the process