Tech: Dull finish on Guild

Subject: RE: Tech: Dull finish on Guild
From: alex s
Date: 19 Apr 13 - 08:40 AM

cheers John

Subject: RE: Tech: Dull finish on Guild
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Apr 13 - 04:22 AM

No specific information, but references I find in my library indicate that almost all guitars from volume producers have used cellulose lacquers for some time, although there are some other kinds of finishes used by luthiers.

The lacquers, however, come in the more frequently used composition that must be sprayed on, since they dry too fast to permit brushing; but there are "slow drying" kinds that evaporate the solvents slowly enough to permit application with a brush.

The maker of your guitar is likely to be the best source for methods to use, or at least identification of what the original finish was.

"Conventional wisdom" is that dull spots may be from physical wear that has roughened the surface, and sometimes those spots can be "buffed out" with application of a "guitar wax" or other finish restorer; but in other cases they're due to absorbing of "skin oils and other crud" where about the only useful method is to strip the original finish and apply something new. Note that the advice is mostly "internet wisdom" and you're probably aware of the necessary warnings about putting too much faith in it.

A common approach to the problem is to accept the signs of wear as evidence of the many hours you've devoted to acquiring your own superior level of virtuosity, and brag about them instead of thinking of them as blemishes. A new pair of shoes may look nice, but the old pair is usually more comfortable for what you use them for.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Dull finish on Guild
From: alex s
Date: 18 Apr 13 - 06:50 AM

refresh

Subject: Tech: Dull finish on Guild
From: alex s
Date: 17 Apr 13 - 01:56 PM

My trusty old 1979 Guild D28 Cherry is becoming very dull in patches, though still generally shiny. Jim Dunlop polish doesn't have any effect on the patches.
Can I restore the finish/prevent further probs?
Is the finish Nitro Cellulose, like some Gibsons and Martins?