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Posts: 169
Joined: Apr. 5 2005
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nail Protection/Coating Advice
Hi everyone,
I've been looking to 'upgrade' from krazy glue (my current nail coating) to something more efficient / less maintenance. I don't really want to go to full on salon acrylics so I've been looking at silk (i.e. miro) wraps and glue. It would be great if I could get some feed back from everyone on their experiences, current techniques or thoughts in general on nail coatings. Btw, I have naturally strong, well shaped nails and played classical (and flamenco) for many years without any coating but recently the volume and strength of the rasqueados is really taking its toll and I want to stop worrying about my nails when playing with dancers, etc. Thanks!
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
quote:
ORIGINAL: seanm I've been looking to 'upgrade' from krazy glue (my current nail coating) to something more efficient / less maintenance. I don't really want to go to full on salon acrylics so I've been looking at silk (i.e. miro) wraps and glue.
That would be MORE maintenance. Its more stuff to fuss around with and its fiddly to get right. Takes longer for silk + glue to dry than it does with just glue, have to cut the silk to the right size, apply several layers etc, etc.
Super glue is strong stuff, I'm not sure you'll find a solution that requires less maintenance if you do not want to go for the salon nails option.
Posts: 169
Joined: Apr. 5 2005
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
I was under the impression that silk/fibreglass wraps lasted much longer (i.e. several weeks) without much maintenance. My current method requires touch up almost every day and I have to redo them every couple of days. Maybe only acrylic or gel last that long then?
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to Jon Boyes)
Acryl only lasts a few days and is very stinky while applying it. Lots of nail studios don´t like to use it, they use Gel. I also have changed from super glue to Elastic Gel. It lasts up to 2 and a half months. It´s better to take a big layer on the nail plate, because it won´t break off by playing i and m golpe. But to get a good sound the edge of the nail has to be beveled with the file. Some gels produce a light "click" sound while stroking the string. The only one I know for sure not making this sound is Power Nails by Carlos Juan at www.american-guitar-center.de This is the next I´ll buy and let it make in the nail studio. The click sound can be reduced very much by filing the bevel.
I had used Miro´s Nail Set with silk. For classical music you can nearly forget it because of the sound produced by the uneven edge of the silk. For flamenco it sounds good, but it´s based on super glue and lasted only between 2 and 3 days. For some years now I only use Elastic Gel don´t have in mind to change it.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
If your nails are the right shape and are strong ...all you need is something so they wont wear out doing rasq... try nail polish I use withcraft nail hardener its great.. light weight and easy to use c
Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
Salon acrylic nails last weeks, not days. Personally, I don't use anything, but if I am gigging with lots of strumming then I'll put on a coat of Hard as Nails.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
Has anyone tried Nail Envy? This stuff can be purchased at salons and comes in matte or gloss. On its own it's kinda soft, but it can be mixed with nail glue to make it tougher. I put some nail glue on the nail and blend the Nail Envy into it before it dries. Nailene glue with the blue cap works best and dries fastest. Avoid regular Krazy Glue or Sally Hansen nail products as they can make your nail brittle and yellow. I've even had the Hansen stuff react with my nail and produce smoke and a mild chemical burn. No joke.
This method may not be as durable as acrylic or Power Nails, but it's easy to repair and the stuff takes less room in your guitar case.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to chinito)
quote:
ORIGINAL: This method may not be as durable as acrylic or Power Nails, but it's easy to repair and the stuff takes less room in your guitar case.
Regarding the acryl nails a guitarist who accompanies baile told me that it lasts until 3 days, sometimes a week. So I keep the using gel method. It lasts much longer and takes no space in the guitar case. Because you only need it for 1 hand it costs just the half. I pay 8 € what really is not expensive.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to chinito)
I use Nail Envy by OPI. The matte finish. You're correct. It is much simpler, doesn't damage your nails the way glues and other polishes will, and, it's really quick and easy to use (3 light coats work the best, followed by one additional application every other day for a week, then stripe with non-acetone remover and start over).
- Jamey
quote:
ORIGINAL: chinito
Has anyone tried Nail Envy? This stuff can be purchased at salons and comes in matte or gloss. On its own it's kinda soft, but it can be mixed with nail glue to make it tougher. I put some nail glue on the nail and blend the Nail Envy into it before it dries. Nailene glue with the blue cap works best and dries fastest. Avoid regular Krazy Glue or Sally Hansen nail products as they can make your nail brittle and yellow. I've even had the Hansen stuff react with my nail and produce smoke and a mild chemical burn. No joke.
This method may not be as durable as acrylic or Power Nails, but it's easy to repair and the stuff takes less room in your guitar case.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
I have tried everything, I used real nails for years, then Acrylics and I have come to the conclusion that Todd is right. Use your real nails with no tips. JUst a very thin coat of acrylic on your real nails. Keeps them strong but flexible.
_____________________________
May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
Maybe a stupid question but I'm new to this. I know of (and use) superglue and silk (which don't last very long for me) and superglue and tabletennis balls (which last longer but not long enough...), but what is acryl and what is gel? How do I use it, and where do I find it?
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to Per Hallgren)
For using gel and acrylic nails you need to go into a nail studio. While the material is applicated it´s thick fluidly. To harden it you need a special lamp. I don´t know the English term but in German it´s called "UV-Lampe". I can´t recomand to do it on your own, because you surely won´t get it done looking properly. It´s very hard to do because you make the application with the brush in the left hand.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
I was watching the QVC shopping channel recently (come on, I know I'm not the only one!) and they were demonstrating a range of nail products called "PROSTRONG". Its a complete range of products, but included are Fluoride and calcium nail strengtheners. The idea is that the body uses fluoride and calcium to produce healthy, strong nails, teeth and bones. By applying the fluoride and calcium solution directly to your nails, ProStrong claim that your nails will be twice as strong in just 1-4 weeks. They also make nail thickening/bonding varnishes for thin and cracked nails, and polishes that feature slow-release fluoride.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to JBASHORUN)
I´d be careful about the so called "calcuim" based hardeners. Most of them contain a bigger percentage of formaldehyde. I´ve tested some in the past. Here in Germany the companies must list the substance of content. Very often I had found formaldehyde. But maybe I´m wrong with my sensiblitiy for this substance. For me I found the right way is to go into nail studio.
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to bernd)
If acrylics only last 3 days they haven't been done right. I get PIM done by a nail shop no more often than once a month, sometimes 6 weeks. Costs $5 and there's nothing to carry in my case at all
RE: Nail Protection/Coating Advice (in reply to seanm)
Years ago I busted a nail the night of a gig (classical music) and rushed to the drugstore for an emergency fix. I bought a common product by Lee Nails, or some other readily available (in my area, at least) product. It was really hard and got me through the gig. My ripped nail did not rip any further. In the past I had used little cloth patches and a glue/hardener but that only lasted a short while. This other product I mentioned was more like car bondo. ;)
Anyway, after a while (weeks), maybe because I didn't know how to maintain it, it pulled off my nail and really did a lot of nail damage that took months to repair naturally. That got me thinking that maybe all these space-age substances aren't such a good idea. I still use a hardener/protection polish.
What did the old guys do before the invention of the newer substances that would probably survive a nuclear blast (even if I didn't)? Please don't tell me they all went into morgues and soaked their nails in formaldehyde!
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