Laquer problem over previously masked area

[Len Biglin]

What is it that stays behind after tape is removed ? When spraying nitro over areas that were masked with tape , I get an uneven surface , and also have seen new guitars that get an impression where tape has been used on the laquer ( to spell out words etc.)Any one know about this?

[chris snyder]

The solvents in the tape leaches into the nitro. New nitro is inpressionable (easier to munipulate good and bad). Ive seen two week old nitro that had finger prints "burned" into it, from the chemicals on fingers. What can help with spot spray tape lines is 1) removing tape after spray (when the nitro sets up), 2) then reapply tape for next spray 3) repeat step one and two till disired thickness of nitro. You most likely get tape lines with this but it will not be as bad. This method takes longer but not as long as a costly nitro repair do to over sanding and over buffing. Worst thing to do is leave that tape on much longer than what is needed, you only need the tape to prevent over spray, if your not spraying at that time then the tape is not need at that time.

[Len Biglin]

OK that makes sense , I have left it way too long spraying a new guitar and it sure makes a mess of it.

[chris snyder]

The real kick in the teeth is that if sand and buff it out, it could still come back the next day/week. The solvents can stick around awhile.

 

[Kerry Krishna]

Chris, that was a great reply. How did you you know all of that? It just seems so obscure...

[Len Biglin]

Chris you are correct , I am busy doing repairs every day and left this guitar masked up for too long (with tape contacting the soundboard) now i have been spraying and sanding and spraying and sanding and the marks re-appear in the new laquer.Will be more careful in future for sure.

[Russell Vance]

Hi Kerry,

Most of us have done this - left tape on too long and after you do it once you go looking for a reason for the problems this causes.   Our approach is to remove tape as soon as the lacquer is just past tacky - it comes off clean, stretches a little flatter with less 'step'  and leaves little or no chemical residuals.  This also avoids the very nasty reaction of some tapes which occurs on the edge of the tape where the lacquer line meets the thin edge of the tape.  

Additionally, for super clean edges we use plastic pin-striping tape which you have to take off almost immediately when using lacquer otherwize the lacquer skins over the top of the tape and holds onto the lacquer on the guitar when the tape is eventually pulled.    The car and bike guys avoid this problem because of the ultra-thin 2 Pacs they use which are thinner than the tape when dry.    

[chris snyder]

@ Kerry, I worked in collings buffing dept.

[Kerry Krishna]

Russle, I have two of them. An '07 D2H and a '10 D1HAVn SB Varnish that Bruce found some absolutely amazing flamed mahogany for. I love all their work...