Tap plate removal question (Full Version)

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JasonM -> Tap plate removal question (Nov. 30 2006 21:36:31)

So I just got a used guitar and it has been extra fortified with some cut up pieces of tap plate around the original golpeador. It doesn't look to pleasing to the eye, and I don't need them there.

After doing a little searching, I found that using a hot air gun or blow dryer can be used to loosen the glue.

But what about cleaning off the glue after the plates are pulled off? What solvent can I use that won't damage the finish? Would lighter fluid be ok?



Patrick -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Nov. 30 2006 21:59:16)

Jason,

In my opinion you are playing with fire (pun intended), using a hot air gun or a blow dryer. Just a little too long and the finish can be toast (pun intended). The best way to go is lighter fluid (Naptha), but you have to do it very slow and careful. I have done it successfully.

Flood an edge with fluid and lift the plate just a hair adding fluid as you go and giving it plenty of time to dissolve the glue; lifting and adding very slowly. Lift just a hair to fast and away goes a bit of finish. I would assume being added afterward they are just the press-on type. If it’s a high-end guitar, I would take it to a pro.

I lifted a plate on a guitar finish with French polish. After I got the plate off you could see a line in the finish around the edge of the old plate, but this wouldn't likely happen with lacquer.

Good luck



JasonM -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Nov. 30 2006 22:11:01)

Pat, Thanks a lot! Glad I asked.

Yeah it looks like the press on type, slightly thinner than the original. I was worried about the lines you mentioned too. The finish is laquer so we'll see.

I'm off to the drug store to get some lighter fluid.



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 1 2006 7:25:41)

quote:

I lifted a plate on a guitar finish with French polish. After I got the plate off you could see a line in the finish around the edge of the old plate,


This guitar has most probably been repolished with the tapplate on.

Jason.

On a lacquer guitar its not to difficult. Just do what Pat has already told you.

Try taking a tapplate of a french polished cedar top. Thats scary[:o]



JasonM -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 1 2006 13:55:16)

Thanks again guys, I did exactly as you said, took my time, and it worked perfectly. If you look closely at the top under a light you can see the outlines. But I'm not worried about it.

Jason



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 1 2006 17:25:26)

Ouh... That was fast. Its ok when its laquer, but if you are going to remove a tapplate from a french polished guitar, expect to use 3 - 5 days doing it. If not scary things[:o]



JasonM -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 1 2006 20:35:05)

3-5 days! Thats crazy. I'm glad its not polish. I spent about 4 hours.



TANúñez -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 2 2006 12:40:00)

Jason,

Instead of removing all the pieces of tap plate, you should have just added more to cover the entire guitar so it would have been like a tap plate cover [:D]

Hey what did you end up getting?



JasonM -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 2 2006 15:44:54)

Hey Tom,

I bought that sanchis out of the classifieds. I have to put new strings on before I can really give it a fair judgment. I am in the process of giving it a bath. But so far it seems like a good guitar. Very close to a 1f blanca I played (I think). Although, I'll have to do a side by side comparison to be sure. The maestro will give me a better opinion.

None the less, it should hold me over until I save up for a 1fa/ 1fa extra.



TANúñez -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 2 2006 16:30:43)

So you got the 2F or that other later model we were talking about?



JasonM -> RE: Tap plate removal question (Dec. 2 2006 18:36:56)

I got the other model. The 1a BF. I'll upload something eventually.

My only thing about the sound so far is that the trebles seem a bit dull. But I'm hoping that the saverez strings are the culprit. I'm gona put some la bella negras on right now.



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