methods of making nails harder

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rafapak

Posts: 271
Joined: Aug. 9 2015

methods of making nails harder

I have zero knowledge in this area but I know that people try to somehow make their nails stronger, less fragile etc. Are they using special laquer that makes nails stronger or they glue artificial nails made of plastic on top of real nails so that both types of nails take part in playing ?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 15 2023 22:58:05

AndresK

Posts: 313
Joined: Jan. 4 2019
From: Patras, Greece

RE: methods of making nails harder (in reply to rafapak)

All the above. Some use just the glue on the nail to protect it especially from rasgueados. Some glue pieces of ping pong balls glued that they say they sound closer to the normal nails. Acrylics and gel are also options but are hard and a bit unnatural in the feeling and sound and for me, 20 something years ago, made me go quite slower as they were too easy to catch strings.

At some point back then I also used silk with glue, specially made for nail use, that was reinforcing the nail and had a more natural sound and feel.

There are also nail hardeners, but most of them do not do much except protecting the surface of the nail for half a practise session

I had good results with oil mixtures including myrrh applied every night on my natural nails.

Another thing many guitarists do, at least classical guitarists I know including myself, is doing many things with the left hand (if you are right handed). For example I never put keys in my right pocket but always on the left. It is a habit now and nothing to really worry too much about.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 15 2023 23:51:04

Ricardo

Posts: 14833
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: methods of making nails harder (in reply to rafapak)

Keep aware of your nail shape and length (file flat in one direction every day), and use brush on nail glue (cyanoacrylate with a brush) that covers the entire nail. Keep the glue in a plastic ziplock bag once open (treat it like food or it will not last). No need to refrigerate but keep it out of the hot sunlight. Do NOT remove any when it starts flaking off after a week. Apply more on top of the old as it comes off. If you need further reasons behind “why” to all of the above, search nail glue in the archives here.

(Addressed are all concerns including chipping, weakening, allergy, breaks and repairs, filing methods, proof of non-toxicity, repairing skin tears with it, brands, etc.)

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 16 2023 11:43:23

etta

Posts: 342
Joined: Jan. 20 2010

RE: methods of making nails harder (in reply to rafapak)

Like many of us, I have tried about all the options on nails. Because of nail issues, I even gave up flamenco in the 1970's. I even resorted to becoming a banjo player with picks on three fingers. The facility with the right hand helped me advance quickly as a player. Then I discovered years later the artificial nails and set out on a new journey with flamenco guitar, but all the problems with nails were not solved. Finally, from nails, to just silk and glue, I have made my last stand with just good glue. I use "ibd" brush on; it dries more quickly than most and is many times more durable than any I have tried; no local source, so I order from Amazon. Order only two bottles at a time and follow Ricardo's advice about maintaining the glue. I am pleased with this new solution which feels more natural than anything I have used; good luck.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 16 2023 16:28:41

devilhand

Posts: 1606
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: methods of making nails harder (in reply to etta)

It's all because of rasgueado. No?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 16 2023 17:27:26

xirdneH_imiJ

Posts: 1893
Joined: Dec. 2 2006
From: Budapest, now in Southampton

RE: methods of making nails harder (in reply to rafapak)

Your nails don't have to be "hard", just hard enough and they have to be flexible so they don't break. I thought in my first 2-3 years that it's a good idea to use glue and all that other stuff, then I just stopped and since then I've maintained my nails by filing them a little bit each day. Ultimately if your nail shape is correct, it's not too long and you play with the correct technique (not overdoing it), then you should be fine.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2023 0:15:23

Ricardo

Posts: 14833
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: methods of making nails harder (in reply to devilhand)

quote:

ORIGINAL: devilhand

It's all because of rasgueado. No?

If doing it a lot and correctly (accompanying cante and baile fequently), yes.

_____________________________

CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 17 2023 13:45:48

oldskoolfool

Posts: 12
Joined: Nov. 15 2012

RE: methods of making nails harder (in reply to xirdneH_imiJ)

This product made a substantial difference for me. My nails grew harder but not brittle like when I used the Sally Hansen products. Of course, I am not affiliated with this nor any other product. Really did work in just a few weeks!

https://www.amazon.com/Gena-Healthy-Hoof-1-Ounce/dp/B000ZIK9LC/ref=sr_1_13?crid=3MVJFCT8HGKNB&keywords=horse+hoof+hardener&qid=1698191350&sprefix=horse+hoof%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-13

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 25 2023 0:51:05