French polish help (Full Version)

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CuerdasDulces -> French polish help (Jul. 10 2012 2:00:17)

I have a Navarro guitar that is french polished, this is th first FP guitar that I have ever owned. Some of the FP is wearing off in the area where I rest my right arm on the lower part of the guitar, it is now like a matte finish.

My question is how can this be fixed? Would I have to get the whole guitar re-finished eventually? I dont really mind that spot because my arm always covers it but can there be any damage to the guitar by just leaving it like that?
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.


CuerdasDulces



JuanDaBomb -> RE: French polish help (Jul. 10 2012 7:08:22)

I'm certainly no expert, but since no one else has responded yet (and I've recently spent who-knows-how-many hours French Polishing a guitar), I feel I can put a couple words in [:)]

I'm 99.999999% sure you don't have to re-finish the whole guitar [;)] . Spot repairs come naturally with shellac. As far as damage goes, I really doubt that as well. I think what happens is that the heat and pressure from one's arm ever so slightly melts the surface layer of shellac which then pulls off along with your arm/shirt. Still, I don't think ALL of the shellac gets removed in this way over time, and hence the wood remains sealed, safe and sound behind at least a microscopic layer of beetle-poo. (If I am way off here, please let me know!)

I own 2 FP guitars, and with both of them this began to happen in less than a couple weeks (on one of them I can start to see the sanding marks on the wood). That's why I'd have to say don't even bother fixing it. It just ain't worth it.

But if it's looking really butt-ugly and you're set on fixing it, you should do it yourself [:)] especially if you're more after peace-of-mind than cosmetics. Many online stores sell sample packs which is more than enough for something like that. Some denatured alcohol, mineral oil, some rub-a-dub-dub, aircraft carrier mis-landings, wax-on-wax-off and you're ready to start messing it up with your arm again! lol



estebanana -> RE: French polish help (Jul. 10 2012 7:10:38)

quote:

wax-on-wax-off


That's good Mr. Miyagi, I do white crane style French Polish.



Stephen Eden -> RE: French polish help (Jul. 10 2012 17:58:12)

The patch that is wearing should be fairly simple to touch up. If you have colour in the finish then I would get it done sooner rather than later.

The cause of the wearing is actually your sweat. I can't remember now but I think it's the alkaline levels in your sweat that wear through the polish. Some people wear through it other don't.

It sounds like you are going to wear your polish out eventually so a good preventative measure is to wear a thicker sleave or I've seen some people use what looks like sweat bands in the area your arm touches the guitar.



estebanana -> RE: French polish help (Jul. 10 2012 18:28:53)

quote:

I think it's the alkaline levels in your sweat that wear through the polish.

Stephen you are so right. Shellac is vulnerable to salts. Yes, and wiping the sweat off the guitar after playing makes it less so.

An aside; If you need to clean your shellac jars and tools you can let them soak overnight in a bath of Borax ( US trade name ) and water and the shellac will be dissolved my morning. You don't have to use alcohol.

Some people have body chemistry that is more "salty" than others. Getting the shellac touched up periodically and keeping the guitar clean can help. Some of the guitars I see coming in have thin FP layers, it could also be that it needs a to be built up more at these areas where you tuck it under your arm.

Also depending on what you wear the edges can get work down. Tough cloth can wear down FP.



CuerdasDulces -> RE: French polish help (Jul. 11 2012 0:58:18)

Thanks guys for your input, I see it's not a huge problem. I guess that even if I touch it up there is still a chance of it going back to the same state. I've seen some players will put a small towel in that area, I now know why.

If I do decide to fix it, what would I need in order to do that?
Master Estebanana, please share your white crane techniques [:D]



estebanana -> RE: French polish help (Jul. 11 2012 1:21:33)

I would refer you to a turorial but Anders will yell again. [8D]



Stephen Eden -> RE: French polish help (Jul. 11 2012 15:59:57)

French polishing is very difficult! I would suggest taking it to a pro to get it fixed! Better to pay £50 to get it skimmed than pay £300 to get the whole guitar refinished!



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