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Author
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Topic: Fixing crack in the lacquer
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Toby Rider
Member From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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posted 04 December 2004 02:16 PM
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I accidently put a little ding in the lacquer on the front of my Sho-bud with the headstock of my Telecaster. It's a very small ding, but it cracked the lacquer a bit. I don't want the crack to keep getting bigger. Is there an easy way to keep the crack from getting bigger? Keep in mind I am not a wood-worker/luthier. I'm just a musician. Thanks! |
Toby Rider
Member From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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posted 04 December 2004 02:18 PM
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Oh yeah, please don't say "duct tape" :-) |
Roy Ayres
Member From: Starke, Florida, USA
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posted 04 December 2004 02:46 PM
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Toby,You can't put lacquer over enamel or other materials because the thinner in lacquer will attack most other finishes (except epoxy.) I wouldn't use lacquer to do the repair because the thinner will also soften the original lacquer finish. However, you can put enamel over lacquer without it attacking the lacquer. You might try putting a small "dab" of clear enamel on the chipped place. That should keep the place from spreading. Clear varnish should also work just as well. Be careful to not overdo it -- just a very small amount. Someone else may have a better idea. (Please note that I don't give any warranties with my advice.) |
Jon Light
Member From: Brooklyn, NY
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posted 04 December 2004 03:14 PM
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Professional quality lacquer repair is way touchy. Roy is right--lacquer thinner will rewet the lacquer--good news if you know how to make it work for you to blend in new lacquer but bad news when things start going south on you. go with Roy's idea or, if it's a pretty small nick, you can use super glue, dropped on with a toothpick. That is a common luthier trick. You can even build it up in layers to the point that it might look like top coat lacquer and blend in. Depends on the severity of the chip. I did this recently to my beautiful lacquer Carter---dropped a tuner on it and took out a chip and it took a bit of color with it too so I'm going to have to match the color first, then try any or all of the above suggetions. |
David Higginbotham
Member From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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posted 04 December 2004 04:22 PM
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Hi Toby, the problem with the lacquer cracking further can be compared to a windshield cracking. The vibration alone as well as temperature variations sometimes will continue the cycle. Roy's idea is likely the best at this point. One option that has worked for me is to use a very fine soldering tip at the end of the crack in the direction it is going. This will leave a very small hole in the lacquer that can be filled with a touch of clear enamel. However, great caution should be used as well as the proper tools.
Dave------------------
'74 MSA D-10 8&4, Sierra Artist D-10 8&4, Peavey Nashville 112
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Herman Visser
Member From: Rohnert Park, California, USA
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posted 04 December 2004 04:57 PM
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Davids idea is a good one, but use a pin heated up.My question is ,why is the Laq.so thick.Also if the dent has not broken the wood surface it can be poped out with a little moist heat ( I use to finish and refinish cabinets)If you have any questions feel free to Email me,and Ill give you my phone #. |
Stephen Gambrell
Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA
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posted 04 December 2004 05:32 PM
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Try Jon's idea with the super glue. I've seen it work several times. Use the watery kind, NOT the gel! |
Larry Beck
Member From: Pierre, SD
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posted 05 December 2004 06:24 AM
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http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/I-5180.html
Stew-mac's #10 looks like a candidate for this job.------------------
Williams D-10, 72 Emmons S-10 and a wall full of 6 strings - |
Jay Ganz
Member From: Out Behind The Barn
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posted 05 December 2004 08:30 AM
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The Stew-Mac stuff is great. I've used it
on regular guitars. The super glue is OK,
but it tends to dry to a dull finish instead
of a gloss. Some epoxy glues that you see
in hardware stores will dry to a nice gloss
to match the surrounding lacquer. |
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
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posted 05 December 2004 09:19 AM
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The thin, watery super-glue will fill cracks in lacquer pretty well. It can be re-surfaced and buffed over real nicely too. Don't forget that acetone (nail polish remover) is your best remedy for getting your fingers unstuck with crazy-glue. If you glue your eyelids shut, I'd go easy on the acetone and maybe seek pro help;
Brad Sarno
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Mark van Allen
Member From: loganville, Ga. USA
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posted 05 December 2004 11:42 AM
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Ditto on the thin super-glue, I've used it to fix some pretty big dents in guitars. The trick is building it up in layers to slightly higher than the surrounding finish, and carefully polishing it out with extremely fine polish. With care it can be almost to totally invisible. I think the Stew-Mac site may have info and videos available on those refinishing techniques.------------------
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
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Hook Moore
Member From: South Charleston,West Virginia
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posted 05 December 2004 02:38 PM
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The Stew- Mac product does work well and the crack can be buffed out afterwards, if it isn`t to bad.
Hook------------------
HookMoore.com
Allen Moore |
James Quackenbush
Member From: Pomona, New York, USA
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posted 07 December 2004 05:04 PM
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Brad,
Eyelids ???........  [This message was edited by James Quackenbush on 07 December 2004 at 05:06 PM.] |
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