Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey guys,
well, I buffed out my guitar, but was unhappy with the top. So I masked off the body with the BLUE masking tape. I finished the top, and removed the masking tape. The tape left scattered adhesive patches aroung the sides. I tried using soap and warm water with no luck. What do guys recommend to safely remove the adhesive from the nitro lacq. Thanks in advance.

Naphtha should work without damaging the nitro

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I use prepsol at work. It's a wax and grease remover that is very gentle on finish. 

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

Sounds like you got some old tape. I get it from a privately-owned paint store that buys it in smaller batches (not by the truckload like the orange Borg), seems like theirs is fresher.

_________________
now known around here as Pat Foster
_________________
http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Thanks guys, I used wd-40 and worked like a charm

I have always avoided WD-40 in the shop because i thought it contains silicone. Anyone know for sure?

Cecil

Although I am also unsure that WD-40 contains silicone, the product is designed as a lubricant and stays where it's put for a long time. I would now be more concerned as to making sure that all traces of WD-40 are removed.

Naphtha is a very common and safe solvent that we use for cleaning and removing contaminants from wood and components...that's why I recommended it. To use something so different without testing it for its safety and effectiveness is a dangerous practice...perhaps you have tested it?

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

From the WD40 website, FAQ.

"What does WD-40 contain?

While the ingredients in WD-40 are secret, we can
tell you what WD-40 does NOT contain. WD-40 does not contain silicone,
kerosene, water, wax, graphite, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), or any
known cancer-causing agents. "

Thought everyone would want to know.  Mostly it contains various petroleum distillates, when you look at the MSDS for the product.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I have not tested it, you could be right about the residue remaining. Would you recommend cleaning with naptha to remove the oil residue? I don't see that there is a film on the surface, but I would agree if there is a need to touch up the finish, the wd 40 could be a nightmare even though I don't see a film. So my question now has become, would naptha remove the wd-40?

I've just acquired a flamenco guitar (which I'll be asking other questions about soon) that has had some duct tape on its side for years. I have not yet made any attempt to ascertain what the finish is, but my first guess would be shellac. I know naphtha is safe on shellac, and I figured that would be what I'd try first on the duct tape residue; I just haven't gotten to it yet. I'm interested in any other possible solvents or cleaners or de-goo stuff that folks here might suggest - something that might be an even better bet than naphtha...? Do folks generally agree that naphtha is the best and safest solvent for cleaning all types of guitar finishes?    

_________________
Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Good news for me, and good info for you guys. I went to the WD-40 website, and under the FAQs, it was asked, What does WD-40 contain?
While the ingredients in WD-40 are secret, we can tell you what WD-40 does NOT contain. WD-40 does not contain silicone, kerosene, water, wax, graphite, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), or any known cancer-causing agents.

See my post above.  I quoted the WD40 website, if you'll notice. 

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

WD-40 contains dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), which is why it's able to displace water.  DMSO can easily damage nitro lacquer, and it evaporates very slowly.  It sounds like you got lucky this time. 

Maybe you applied it quickly enough or in a small enough amount that it didn't affect the gloss, but would advise against it for routine use.  Try naphtha instead.

-Ben

Thanks for the info Ben. I didn't plan on using it again anyway.
Sorry Waddy, I don't know how I missed that.

Nah, I was just being a Smart Alec.  

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars