Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post - Seeking advice on finishes from the builders here...

beach bob · May 12th, 2008, 10:38 PM

I know we have several ace Tele builders here; I'm seeking their opinions. Though I'm not sure if those folks wander over to this acoustic folder... (I haven't, much

)

At any rate...

My picking bud has a Taylor 410, 1998 build as I recall. He is looking to find out the best way (or, really, is there a way?) to overspray the existing spruce top, without disturbing the original finish.

Situation is, he's had three pickers of note put their signatures below the bridge, behind the strings & more or less out of the way of the usual playing areas. The sigs were done with a Sharpie. But at this point he is starting to get some wear on the sigs, and he would very much like to preserve them. Finish is gloss, and is the standard UV cured polyester Taylor has used since '95. Details from the Taylor site follow~

What kind of finish does Taylor use on its guitars?
Since 1995, we've been using a polyester finish which is cured by ultraviolet light. This UV-finish has many advantages over the polyurethane and lacquer-based finishes previously used. It contains as many "solids" as thicker finishes, so a thinner application provides the same protection while allowing for better tone production. It also is clearer, so the wood grain is more distinct; is more user-friendly; is much easier to sand; is more flexible; doesn't produce any cold-checking; allows for aging; and requires a fraction of the curing time (three 23-second passes through the UV oven, versus several days using the old method). Also, because polyester is about 85 percent resin and only 15 percent solvents (almost the exact reverse of the polyurethane ratio), UV-curing it produces a greatly reduced VOC rate - the measure of the "volatile organic compounds" released into the airstream. This environmental bonus earned Taylor Guitars a commendation from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District.

My bud called Taylor today and basically they told him it can't be done; that nothing would stick to the original finish without it being scuffed up to take a new topcoat (I'm figuring 0000 or 000 steel wool, but of course these would obliterate the signatures).

I know this is a longshot, but this is a very dear friend, and a special guitar (his main player), so I thought I'd ask around and see what could be done ...

Appreciate any input / feedback !

May 12th, 2008, 10:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
beach bob Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 345	Seeking advice on finishes from the builders here... I know we have several ace Tele builders here; I'm seeking their opinions. Though I'm not sure if those folks wander over to this acoustic folder... (I haven't, much ) At any rate... My picking bud has a Taylor 410, 1998 build as I recall. He is looking to find out the best way (or, really, is there a way?) to overspray the existing spruce top, without disturbing the original finish. Situation is, he's had three pickers of note put their signatures below the bridge, behind the strings & more or less out of the way of the usual playing areas. The sigs were done with a Sharpie. But at this point he is starting to get some wear on the sigs, and he would very much like to preserve them. Finish is gloss, and is the standard UV cured polyester Taylor has used since '95. Details from the Taylor site follow~ What kind of finish does Taylor use on its guitars? Since 1995, we've been using a polyester finish which is cured by ultraviolet light. This UV-finish has many advantages over the polyurethane and lacquer-based finishes previously used. It contains as many "solids" as thicker finishes, so a thinner application provides the same protection while allowing for better tone production. It also is clearer, so the wood grain is more distinct; is more user-friendly; is much easier to sand; is more flexible; doesn't produce any cold-checking; allows for aging; and requires a fraction of the curing time (three 23-second passes through the UV oven, versus several days using the old method). Also, because polyester is about 85 percent resin and only 15 percent solvents (almost the exact reverse of the polyurethane ratio), UV-curing it produces a greatly reduced VOC rate - the measure of the "volatile organic compounds" released into the airstream. This environmental bonus earned Taylor Guitars a commendation from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. My bud called Taylor today and basically they told him it can't be done; that nothing would stick to the original finish without it being scuffed up to take a new topcoat (I'm figuring 0000 or 000 steel wool, but of course these would obliterate the signatures). I know this is a longshot, but this is a very dear friend, and a special guitar (his main player), so I thought I'd ask around and see what could be done ... Appreciate any input / feedback !