Does Gibson still use nitrocellulose lacquer?
Gibson instruments are finished with several coats of a high-quality nitro-cellulose lacquer. This finish is hand-buffed to a high-gloss, mirror-like surface. Unlike other less expensive finishes, nitro-cellulose does not detract from the tone of the instrument and ages beautifully.
How do I reset my nitro finish?
If you want to restore a flat or satin finish guitar, the best way is to lightly sand the area (steel wool works best), and a tack cloth, then apply a light coat of satin nitrocellulose spray finish, after taping everything off.
How do you restore nitrocellulose lacquer?
If the nitrocellulose lacquer on your tabletop is too faded, checked or otherwise damaged to save, strip the old finish with chemical stripper. After stripping, sand the wood with a palm sander and 120-grit sandpaper, then make any needed repairs such as filling holes or gluing split wood.
What is nitrocellulose lacquer?
Nitrocellulose lacquer is made by mixing fast-drying solvents with wood and cotton pulp containing cellulose that has been broken down by nitric and sulfuric acid. Also, because it is an evaporative finish, each new coat of lacquer blends into all the previous coats, making it easy to repair.
How long does nitrocellulose lacquer take to cure?
3-4 weeks is about as long as I’ve been able to wait. If you can keep it in a warm, dry place, maybe a little less.
Can you brush on nitrocellulose lacquer?
brushing is not the best way to apply lacquer you will feel it grabing pretty quickly , there is a brushing lacquer but it isn’t great for guitars. If you mask the area the you don’t want over spray you will be better off than brushing.
Can I use vinegar to clean my guitar?
The only household product that’s safe to use to clean your guitar is white distilled vinegar. A damp paper towel (left) or microfiber cloth works well to clean a guitar’s finish.
What to do if your guitar finish is nitrocellulose?
There’s not much you can do to fix this, short of a refinish. The best thing to do if you have a nitro-finished guitar is to only use stands or hangers that specifically state they are safe for nitrocellulose finishes. When in doubt, simply place a cloth between your guitar and the stand or hanger.
How long does it take to cure Nitro on a Gibson Guitar?
Nitro takes a very long time to cure, and Matt estimates that most Gibsons are shipped with less than 6 weeks of drying time. As a Gibson owner myself, I use just my breath and a dry cloth to clean the back of my new guitar’s neck for about two years. After two years, the finish is settled enough to graduate to a damp rag for cleaning.
What should I use to polish my Gibson Guitar?
You shouldn’t need (or use) anything too abrasive on your fave Gibson guitar’s body and neck. A bit of hard polishing with a dry cloth or, if it’s really filthy, a slightly damp but not “wet” cloth will mostly do the trick.
Is it safe to use naphtha on a Gibson Guitar?
While naphtha is safe on tricky nitro finishes, it’s important to be extra careful. Nitro takes a very long time to cure, and Matt estimates that most Gibsons are shipped with less than 6 weeks of drying time. As a Gibson owner myself, I use just my breath and a dry cloth to clean the back of my new guitar’s neck for about two years.