Big nitro chips

[1955]

In the last couple months, I've had two big pieces of nitro just pop right off of my 52RI. Ive played it a lot over the last several years.

Now there are big cracks, and while I'm playing, if I touch it the wrong way it catches under the crack and chips off.

Anything I should do for the remaining finish, or unfinished wood when a chip breaks off? The last one was about the size of a silver dollar. One part of me likes it, the other doesn't.

Thanks!

 

[InkStained]

Unless the finish checking/falling off is somehow interfering with the guitar's playability, no. Leave it alone.

That's what nitro finishes are supposed to do.

 

[Tuxedo Poly]

If you're not happy with "that's what nitro finishes are supposed to do" then contact Fender under the limited lifetime warranty for a possible refinish as long as it is not damaged or has been subject to extremes of temperature and/or humidity.
Try posting on the Fender forum http://forums.fender.com/. There are Fender reps who visit and may be able to help.

 

[Ronkirn]

actually "Big Chips" suggest something other than Nitro Lacquer.... It is too brittle to come off in "Big Chips".. unless the primer/sealer coatings were not compatible.

Ron Kirn

 

[InkStained]

If you're not happy with "that's what nitro finishes are supposed to do" then contact Fender under the limited lifetime warranty for a possible refinish as long as it is not damaged or has been subject to extremes of temperature and/or humidity.
Try posting on the Fender forum http://forums.fender.com/. There are Fender reps who visit and may be able to help.

And if you ask nicely, your friendly neighborhood "Fender rep" will send you a free replacement guitar.

Or maybe not.

(link removed)

 

[burntfrijoles]

could you post some pics?

 

[telex76]

A good nitro finish should show wear and checking fairly quickly compared to a poly finish.
It shouldn't have big hunks popping off unless the wood wasn't prepared right or the finish wasn't applied correctly.

 

[Tuxedo Poly]

And if you ask nicely, your friendly neighborhood "Fender rep" will send you a free replacement guitar.

Or maybe not.

(link removed)

There's a Tele owner on the Fender forums who had finish problems with a 2003 rosewood body.
Fender sent a UPS return ticket so they could examine the problem. The finish was delaminating from the wood.

 

[Stubee]

actually "Big Chips" suggest something other than Nitro Lacquer.... It is too brittle to come of in "Big Chips".. unless the primer/sealer coatings were not compatible.

Ron Kirn

Yes^^^. There were some Martin flattops that had that problem on neck finish a few years back. Big chunks fell off & you could then peel more.

Only nitro finish I've ever seen let go in 'chunks' thru dozens of 'em I owned was on a '50s Gibson flattop. It had heavy-duty checking + signs of being hung in a barn for years so it had an excuse.

That shouldn't be happening to your AV52.

 

[Telemarkman]

That shouldn't be happening to your AV52.

It's a well established fact that the '52RI has a more or less thick polyurethane undercoat. THAT can certainly come off in big chips.

 

[Stubee]

It's a well established fact that the '52RI has a more or less thick polyurethane undercoat. THAT can certainly come off in big chips.

I'd read about the AV52 thick finish chipping before but didn't think it came off as 1955 is describing = you can peel it, unless it was a bad one. The AV52 I had didn't do that. My AV62 has a finish crack by the back plate & a flake came off but that's it. I think my '62 finish is very thin, though, compared to a '52.

Well, if a cracked finish AV52 will then keep falling off in chunks if you catch an edge, and this is normal, I stand corrected & surprised.

 

[Telemarkman]

Well, if a cracked finish AV52 will then keep falling off in chunks if you catch an edge, and this is normal, I stand corrected & surprised.

No, no. I'm not saying it's normal, just that it could happen with poly finishes as opposed to nitro - especially if it gets a dent. Poly cracks in a very different way than nitro.

 

[harold h]

Wick superglue under the remaining finish to keep it from
going further.

 

[73Fender]

Is it an AVRI 52, or a newer AV / Pure Vintage 52 (these came out in 2012)?

Someone else here had chunks coming off an AVRI 52. They have a thick finish.

 

[1955]

Mine's a 2005 52RI American. Will try to take a pic soon. Great help everyone!

 

[1955]

The latest two chips
And here's some of the regular wear/older chips:


You can see how the crack is getting so it will peel off even more:

 

[STRAT'71]

That guitar is rubbish.
Fender should replace it with something fit for purpose.

 

[1955]

That guitar is rubbish.
Fender should replace it with something fit for purpose.

I love this guitar. It's been my best friend for the past 8 years. It was very beautiful when it was brand new. I have just done a lot of damage to it by playing it a lot.

 

[Reedo]

That guitar is rubbish.
Fender should replace it with something fit for purpose.

+1

 

[Tonemonkey]

That guitar is rubbish.
Fender should replace it with something fit for purpose.

That's a strange turn of phrase to use in reference to someone else's guitar.

I love this guitar. It's been my best friend for the past 8 years. It was very beautiful when it was brand new. I have just done a lot of damage to it by playing it a lot.

If its your best friend, perhaps a nice light refin might be in order.