Replies

1. 
   Rich14 | Mar 31, 2008 02:19am | #1

   70445

   (got a name?)

   Tell your neighbor to go to Luthiers Mercantile International:

   http://www.lmii.com/

   or Stewart MacDonald:

   http://www.stewmac.com/

   There is all kinds of information there about guitar finishing techniques and materials. Grizzly (http://www.grizzly.com) has also become quite a good resource of information and materials.) He can also Google the subject, the Web is loaded with info and links.

   If he wants to just to dive in and work on his instrument, the finish is in all liklihood, nitrocellulose lacquer, as that is the most common finish on commercially-produced instruments.

   The finish could be shellac if it was custom-made.

   A way to test is to wipe an spot with a rag dipped in either alcohol or lacquer thinner. Shellac will dissolve in alcohol, lacquer will not. Lacquer will dissolve in lacquer thinner, shellac will not. But be careful if using denatured alcohol. Denatured alcohol can be denatured with ketones and that mixture will dissolve both.

   Rich

   
   

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   Edited 3/31/2008 12:07 am ET by Rich14

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 31, 2008 03:07am | #2

   Try http://www.michaeldresdner.com .  Michael, who has written several finishing books, has in his previous life has worked for several guitar makers, including , I believe, Maring guitar. 

3. 
   Knotscott | Mar 31, 2008 03:16am | #3

   MIMF.com is a good resource. Nitrocellulose lacquer is typically the finish of choice.

   
   

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   Edited 3/30/2008 8:17 pm ET by Knotscott

1. 
   70445 | Mar 31, 2008 04:54am | #4

   Thanks to all who responded, I'll call my neighbor and tell the info.

   Larry

4. 
   Quickstep | Mar 31, 2008 05:36am | #5

   Acoustic Guitar magazine has a forum that very, very good. The luthier's section has contributors that are some of THE best guitar builders in the business. I have a guitar made by one of them (Charlie Hoffman) and the finish is impeccable. (actually, the whole guitar is impeccable). Here's a link to the forum:

   http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=12

    

5. 
   harrycu | Mar 31, 2008 05:42am | #6

   You're a principal at a middle school?! Go back and look at your grammar and spelling in your OP. You can do better than that.

   Following the path of least resistance makes rivers and men crooked.
6. 
   [email protected] | Mar 31, 2008 06:42am | #7

   Shellac was traditional, and was replaced by nitrocellulose lacquer for production line guitars in the 1930's.  But, shellac is still used on high end customs, and classicals. 

   The lacquer has pretty much been replaced by polyurethanes, polyesters, urethane enamels, and epoxies. 

   First thing to do is figure out what finish is on it.  If it is shellac, it can be touched up, but with extreme care, (french polishing is best learned on something besides a guitar). 

   Lacquers are easiest to work on, but depending on the finish style, (fade outs or sunbursts), you have to be careful not to disturb the color pattern under the finish.  

   There is a really good book on guitar maintenance that every player should own, "Guitar Player Repair Guide", by Dan Erlewine.  It covers everything you could ever need to know about guitar maintenance.  I spent about $20 dollars on my copy, which I recovered, (about five fold), the first time I replaced a nut, and adjusted the neck and action height on one of my guitars myself. 

    

7. 
   [email protected] | Mar 31, 2008 06:45am | #8

   None of my guitars appear to be "sealed" on the inside.  I keep humidifiers in them to keep the moisture content stable.  Richer folks, and high end shops have humidity controlled rooms they keep them in. 

8. 
   TML1 | Nov 20, 2019 10:51am | #9

   Projectguitar.com is another great resource for the amateur luthier. The forum contains hundreds of member builds, most of which include a step-by-step overview. I would start there to find a finish process and then look to Luthiers Mercantile International (LMI) and Stewart MacDonald for supplies.

   Separately, as many have mentioned here nitro (nitrocellulose lacquer) is the standard for production guitars; however, it is fairly toxic and combustible so it will require good ventilation, a respirator and a spray gun. If your neighbor is building their first acoustic guitar then french polish might be a more accessible way to get into finishing. French polish is the traditional finish for classical/Spanish guitars and is still used to this day on some high end handmade guitars. Fine Woodworking just ran a video series with John Coffey on French polishing this month. O'brien Guitars (obrienguitars.com) also offers an online course on French polishing for $50 that is well worth the investment.

   Best of luck to your friend!