Clear finishes on guitar

Werner232

Hi guys! I need some good advice. I'm starting my first homebuild kit. I've read up a bit on finishes on the net and they all talk about either nitro cellulose or lacquer finish for the clear coat.

Firstly what is the pro's and cons of each?

Secondly what is the best one of the two for our climate?

Thirdly which is the easiest to apply and finish properly for someone of my experience level?

Thanks

Norman86

nitro IS lacquer.
you mean to ask about nitro or poly finishes.

I had my guitar done by Wayne Pritchard, but we used a poly finish if I remember correctly, because we don't get the right type of nitro here in ZA.

Werner232

Thanks for the rectification! Slip of the tongue there. So poly is the way to go?

Malkav

Poly is stronger and more durable if done right, the myth is that nitro allows the wood to breathe more and therefore resonates better but like most things in the world of guitars it's a bit of a tall claim and has very little to no real grounding in fact, even if you do get the right kind of nitro. ?

ezietsman

Poly is much more durable than pure nitro and will basically not wear down at all. However, thin nitro finishes feel really nice under your hands. If you want that high end guitar feel under your hands, this is what you want.

Werner232

Thanks. I'm starting to see the light!

Norman86

even if you could get the right nitro here, then you have to care for the paint in certain ways. guitar stand rubber can melt into finish and ruin it.
Speak to both lapdawg in cape town about finishes, and wayne pritchard, in kempton park.

V8

Norman86 wrote: Speak to both lapdawg in cape town about finishes, and wayne pritchard, in kempton park.

+1

As far as I recall, lapdawg last two builds featured nitro finishes...he does have a source for materials (imported).

Wern, what finish are you going for? A full paint job, or a natural finish. If natural, maybe think about sanding sealer (shellac). Lotsa work, but it can look amazing - saw a local fellow's build, 12 coats + immense amount of elbow grease = a lovely satin sheen.

Depending on your setup, poly is probably the easier of the two. You can source materials locally and it's not as toxic as nitro. But I stand under correction!

Werner232

I'm planning for a full paint job,

Werner232

Thanks for the info guys. I never knew nitro dissolved rubber. Goes to show one learn eveyday. ?

shaundtsl

This is the result of my strat with nitro finsih hanging on a rubber wall mount. Strange thing is it was hanging on the wall mount for years without a problem, then I didn't play for a few weeks and when I checked it again this happened ☹

Werner232

Whoa! O.K. I see what you mean. Can it be removed? ☹

Norman86

as far as I understand, no. you would have to completely remove the finish, go to bare wood and refinish in order to fix.

G-Man

If you're feeling adventurous you can take some 2000 grit water paper and some soapy water and mask off the area and give it a few light passes, see if it starts to lift it. You might get away with just buffing it afterwards.

slyd

G-Man wrote: If you're feeling adventurous you can take some 2000 grit water paper and some soapy water and mask off the area and give it a few light passes, see if it starts to lift it. You might get away with just buffing it afterwards.

Yeah, good advice Gman
Even if it doesn't totally sort it out, it will improve the appearance.

Wizard

For my home builds I've used various finishes for the bodies:

a) Alder Strat - a few layers of Tung Oil on alder. Nice honey colour

b) Kiaat Tele - shellac based sanding sealer + liberon wax (beeswax & carnauba mix)

c) Ash violincaster - briwax mixed with stain

Finish is a very personal thing.
I personally don't like poly - feels to me like a plastic coating.
And I've never tried out spray based finishes.

My current favourite woodwork finish is a homebrew wax made from beeswax, carnauba & real artist turpentine

All the above worked out great.
But it's very personal. What you like is what you like.