What are the pros and cons of Nitro finishes?
On the downside Nitro is not the most durable type of finish, it can wear away and is softer, materials such as guitar stand rubbers can sometimes react with the resin much in the same way as a solvent does. Changes in temperature also can cause small cracks to form in the finish as the wood underneath expands and contracts.
Does your guitar have a nitro finish?
– Tone Quest WARNING: Does your guitar have a nitro finish? A lot of vintage guitars (and vintage re-issue guitars) have been finished with nitrocellulose lacquer. It’s usually applied fairly thinly, so you can still kind of feel the grain of the timber underneath.
What is a SIGs Nitron finish?
I have always wondered what Sigs Nitron finish was all about. All Legion guns are finished in SIG’s gray PVD, which stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. It is a process whereby a protective coating in the form of a metal vapor is applied to a metal surface by ion bombardment or heat evaporation while in a vacuum.
Is nitrocellulose a good finish?
The simple fact is, Nitrocellulose is a good finish, and it's what was used back in the 50's and 60's. From the early 70's into the early 90's. thick polyester finishes were the norm, which do sound somewhat "dead" and "lifeless" when compared to older nitro finishes.
Does nitro finish crack?
1:003:30Checking / cracking a nitro guitar finish - Nitrocellulose relic tutorialYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow this method relies on very rapid temperature changes. So we're going to heat up the lacquerMoreNow this method relies on very rapid temperature changes. So we're going to heat up the lacquer first and then we're going to cool it down very rapidly and the finish will start to crack. I like to
Is nitrocellulose and lacquer the same thing?
Nitrocellulose was adopted quickly by the car industry and remained the finish of choice through to the late-1950s. Furniture and musical instrument manufacturers also switched to nitrocellulose lacquer, and mostly it was referred to simply as 'lacquer'.
Is nitrocellulose finish toxic?
Nitrocellulose lacquer becomes relatively non-toxic after approximately a month since at this point, the lacquer has evaporated most of the solvents used in its production.
What kind of finish does fender use?
Fender continues to use urethane finishes on many of its instruments (American Standard Series, various artist models), with variants including flatter satin urethane (necks on Deluxe, Standard, Highway One, American Deluxe and American Standard models) and thicker, shinier gloss urethane (American Specials, Ritchie ...
How can you tell nitrocellulose from polyurethane?
1:369:15Polyurethane Vs Nitrocellulose Lacquer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThan that you say it was like it's more pump resistant doesn't scratch as easily. And it doesn'tMoreThan that you say it was like it's more pump resistant doesn't scratch as easily. And it doesn't react so much to temperature it also doesn't yellow nitrocellulose lacquer on the other hand.
What kind of finish is used on guitars?
Polyurethane and polyester guitar finishes are considered the industry standard; the modern norm if you will. In mass guitar production, poly finishes largely replaced nitrocellulose lacquers from the late '60s onwards.
How do you care for nitrocellulose finish?
There are three very simple rules when looking after a guitar with a Nitrocellulose finish: don't get it wet, keep it away from bright light, and don't feed it after midnight. Sorry, that's a Mogwai! Well, one of those rules does actually apply. Let's dig a little deeper into this classic finish.
How long does nitro take to dry?
If you level sand and polish nitro after 3 days, a month later the finish will look slightly like orange peel. 3-4 weeks is about as long as I've been able to wait. If you can keep it in a warm, dry place, maybe a little less.
Is nitrocellulose lacquer explosive?
While not nearly as volatile or explosive as dynamite, nitrocellulose lacquer is extremely flammable and produces fumes when it's being used that can easily ignite.
What finish does Martin use on their guitars?
MARTIN GUITARS USE A THINNER GLOSS FINISH ON THEIR GUITARS This due to the small amount of finish Martin use. The team at Martin create guitars with a thinner gloss finish on their guitars, not to make them age quicker, but to ensure that the tone of your guitar is the best that it can be.
What is the most popular Fender Stratocaster color?
But the legacy of the Candy Apple Red had begun, and to this day, it is Fender's most popular finish (behind the classic Black and Sunburst).
What is the best clear coat for a guitar?
ColorTone® Aerosol Guitar Lacquer is formulated especially for musical instruments. Fast-drying and resistant to alcohol and water, it produces a hard, durable finish that enhances the beauty of the wood.
What are the different types of lacquer?
5 Types of LacquerNitrocellulose Lacquer. Since its inception in the 1920's, nitrocellulose lacquer has been the dominant finish for musical instruments like guitars, violins, and pianos. ... Acrylic Lacquer. ... Catalyzed Lacquer. ... Waterborne Lacquer. ... Urushiol Based Lacquer.
What is nitrocellulose lacquer used for?
NCL Nitrocellulose Lacquer is a single pack, fast drying general purpose lacquer. Potential uses are for high quality furniture, shop fittings, doors, cabinets, desks, panelling, partitions and most interior timberwork. Can also be used on suitably primed metals.
What is nitrocellulose in nail polish?
Nitrocellulose is a film forming polymer which means that it creates a film on top of your nail (once the solvents have evaporated) and it holds all of the components in the nail polish together.
Is Mohawk lacquer nitrocellulose?
The Mohawk Classic Instrument Lacquer which replaces the H. Behlen Classic Instrument Lacquer remains a high-quality nitrocellulose lacquer specifically designed for wooden string instruments.
What are the causes of Nitro?
What do we need to look out for? While nitro seems to be allergic to just about everything, the main culprits tend to be rubber, vinyl, and plastics. Unfortunately, finding a stand that doesn’t contain at least some of these at its contact points with the guitar is almost impossible.
Can you tell if a product marks were caused by a product?
If an issue does arise there is no definite way for us to tell if the marks were caused by our products or if they were from a previously used product from another manufacturer.
Does Nitrocellulose lacquer harden?
Howlin Wolf demonstrates his unique guitar licks. So what’s the problem? Nitrocellulose lacquer never fully hardens, so it’s very easy to end up with dings and marks in it.
Is nitro finish expensive?
When you consider that most guitars with a nitro finish happen to be reeeeeeaally expensive, that’s more than a little inconvenient .
Is Nitro finish liquid?
Nitro finish remains partially a liquid for its lifetime, so extended periods of time any significant pressure on the finish can result in pressure marks almost like a smear. This is worsened if the guitar was not given proper cure time when the finished was applied.
Can you feel the grain of wood underneath a guitar?
It’s usually applied fairly thinly, so you can still kind of feel the grain of the timber underneath. There’s an argument that not encasing your instrument in a thick layer of poly allows it vibrate more freely. Many folks swear by guitars with a nitro finish and find any other kind of finish an abomination.
Does neoprene react with nitro?
If you’re eyeing off a can cooler for the job, forget about it. Neoprene reacts with nitro as well.
Why is nitrocellulose used in guitars?
So, why nitrocellulose at all? It's absolutely not for everyone but as far as this writer is concerned, ultimately it looks great, it can help a guitar sound great, it ages how vintage fans want it to age and , of course, it evokes the spirit of those world-changing instruments to which many of us aspire.
What is the solvent used to paint guitars?
The nitrocellulose and acrylic components themselves act as binding agents in the paint that then need to be mixed in solvent in order to be sprayed properly onto a guitar, or indeed a car. It's this solvent - acetone - that denotes the 'lacquer' part of the name, creating a highly flammable, extremely environmentally unfriendly cocktail in the process.
What lacquer did Fender use?
Detractors argue that it's pure nostalgia-driven hogwash. Either way, the facts are that Fender used both nitrocellulose and acrylic lacquers for 1950s and 60s standard and custom colour finishes.
Can you use nitro finish on guitar?
No, modern nitro finishes aren't exactly as they used to be, but we'll take them over glass-like polyester any day of the week. We all know that the way your guitar makes you feel has a direct effect on how you play.
Is Nitro better than Polyurethane?
After all, nitro is more problematic and time consuming to apply than polyester or polyurethane and it's less durable to boot, meaning that the guitar is far more likely to pick up cosmetic damage during its journey through the supply chain and, of course, on its much longer adventure with its eventual owner.
Is Fender guitar finish soft?
On some guitars, it never really did and the finish is still soft, but if you look at many a 50s or early 60s Fender today, the finish is often extremely thin and almost as one with the wood.
Is nitrocellulose lacquer regulated?
These days the use of high-VOC paints (volatile organic compound) such as nitrocellulose lacquers is strictly regulated, though those regulations differ significantly depending on where you are in the world, not least in which US State.
What is PVD coating?
From Wikipedia -#N#PVD coatings are sometimes harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by the electroplating process. Most coatings have high temperature and good impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance and are so durable that protective topcoats are almost never necessary.#N#Ability to utilize virtually any type of inorganic and some organic coating materials on an equally diverse group of substrates and surfaces using a wide variety of finishes.#N#More environmentally friendly than traditional coating processes such as electroplating and painting.#N#More than one technique can be used to deposit a given film.#N#A Rockwell hardness of 70 is pretty impressive.
Which metals oxidize in a very thin and intricate crystallization pattern?
Some metals oxidize in much more favorable manners than others. Titanium oxidizes in a very thin and intricate crystallization pattern over its surface so much so that it is perceived as non-rusting. Other more obvious ones do not have the same oxidation layer characteristics, say Iron or Copper.
How does PVD work vs plating?
Yep, the fallback to metal deposition (PVD) vs. plating is that you can plate much faster using physical immersion and electricity than you can with ion bombardment. Also much cheaper process to run. PVD coatings tend to begin to 'flake' when built up to very high thicknesses. But you can deposit metal using PVD to virtually anything ... whereas plating requires something you can attract the metal to it with, by charging it or using the right chemical mixtures naturally combining or replacing one another (as in elecroless plating).
Does Ionbond finish Sig Sauer?
IonBond does all of the Nitron finishing for Sig Sauer (it's actually just down the road from their factory) and on their site they do advertise a PVD process. Honestly though, I dont know if it's the same exact process just with Black added. It's not quite as durable as I've already seen with some peoples pistols and higher round counts.
Is a seed metal good for plating?
Its pretty durable stuff in thin films, and fairly easy to make uniform. Its best really to be used as a seed metal for actual immersion plating later.
Is PVD corrosion resistant?
PVD coatings are sometimes harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by the electroplating process. Most coatings have high temperature and good impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance and are so durable that protective topcoats are almost never necessary.
Why do you want nitro finish on guitars?
It’s a different story when you’re working with a guitar from the Golden Era. You want a nitro finish instead of acrylic because the sounds are much better.
What guitars were made with Nitro finish?
When Gibson and Fender were the primary names in guitar manufacturing, virtually every instrument they released in the 1950s, and most of the 1960s, involved a nitro finish. It was the go-to choice since the material was relatively easy to apply and delivered a glossy finish.
What do luthiers do after finishing a guitar?
Once the final layer gets applied, the luthiers will sand and buff the instrument until the glossy finish is achieved.
What is the best brand of nitro guitar?
If you want to buy a guitar with a nitro finish today, your best brand options are Momose, Crews, Van Zandt, Navigator, Combat, and Moon.
Is poly a good substitute for nitro?
Anything with a low VOC profile is considered safer to use on a guitar compared to nitro. Poly is popular because it’s based on a synthetic resin recipe. That means no solvents linger on the instrument, even though it hardens completely.
Does Gibson have Nitro?
Gibson and Fender used this finish on their guitars almost exclusively through the 1960s. If you own an electric guitar from this era, you’re 99% guaranteed to have nitro. The only exceptions would be the acrylic options that came out periodically.
Can you use nitrocellulose on guitars?
If you want an instrument with modern electronics and a vintage look, nitro works well with relic-based processes. By purposely damaging a guitar to make it look older, you can manipulate the nitrocellulose to achieve the desired aesthetic profile.
What is the difference between Nitro and Poly finish?
If you want the new shine finish to last a long time, as long as you have your guitar, then a Poly finish is what you want. Nitro finishes eventually end up having a vintage look and appearance while Poly finishes stay new looking and shiny.
What is Nitrocellulose lacquer?
Nitrocellulose is solvent based, a plant based substance usually made from cotton and is combined with nitric and sulfuric acids, when the lacquer has been applied the solvent chemicals dissolve and leave behind a resin which is buffed and sanded until a gloss is attained. Nitro finished layers are easily repaired and restored while also being less constricting and rigid than other types of finishes. On the downside Nitro is not the most durable type of finish, it can wear away and is softer, materials such as guitar stand rubbers can sometimes react with the resin much in the same way as a solvent does. Changes in temperature also can cause small cracks to form in the finish as the wood underneath expands and contracts.
When did polyurethane and polyester finish become popular?
About Poly Finishes. Meanwhile, polyurethane and polyester finishes have been in use since the late 1960’s while in the last few decades they have become more popular as they don’t share the same complications of nitro finishing while being glossier and more durable.
Why is the finish of a guitar important?
The guitar’s finish is as important as all the other details in ensuring that the desired sound is what comes out of the instrument.
Is Nitro guitar still used?
Nitro is still widely used but it seems, aside from the boutique guitar market, soon it may become obsolete in practical use. What the best for you may be is up to you to decide as you might prefer your playing experience to show in a more worn down looking instrument with a nitro finish or a poly finish that is glossy and matches your flashy stage ...
Is Nitro a good finish?
On the downside Nitro is not the most durable type of finish, it can wear away and is softer, materials such as guitar stand rubbers can sometimes react with the resin much in the same way as a solvent does.
How long does it take for nitro to cure?
2)"Nitro takes weeks or even months to properly cure."
How much solids does Nitro have?
as a general rule, Nitro has a build of 30% solids.. that's the stuff we see as the shiny finish when its all done.. and approximately 70% solvents that's the toxic stuff that evaporates into the air around us....
What is nitrocellulose made of?
Nitrocellulose is made from cellulose, which is also what all plant cells are made of. BUT, The manufacture of nitrocellulose rarely uses cellulose, or plant cell material, from trees, but rather cotton.. which is much more easily nitrated. But that's not the worst part of this statement.
Why does nitrocellulose allow wood to breathe?
Saying Nitrocellulose allows wood to "breathe" because it's manufactured from similar raw material, is about like saying you should be able to breathe water because it's 80% oxygen by weight and you breathe oxygen.
How long does it take for lacquer to dry?
Lacquers dry to the touch relatively quickly, but then it can take weeks, or even months to dry completely, leading to the misconception that they "cure".
When was nitrocellulose lacquer invented?
Nitrocellulose lacquer paints were in fact developed by DuPont in the 1920's specifically NOT to breathe, but to be a sealant against the forces of nature for automotive applications.
What is PU in lacquer?
While most polyurethanes are thermosetting polymers that do not melt when heated, thermoplastic polyurethanes are also available.
What Is Nitrocarburizing?
Nitrocarburization is a thermochemical diffusion process. Nitrogen, carbon, and a very small number of oxygen atoms diffuse onto the surface of steel or other ferrous alloys. This forms a surface compound layer and a diffusion layer.
Why do you use nitrocarburizing over nitriding?
More efficient process time is the primary reason to choose nitrocarburization over classic nitriding. Both processes offer case hardening, protection against abrasion and improvements in adhesive strength.
What can replace chromizing?
Nitriding and nitrocarburizing can replace surface treatments like chromizing or black oxidizing. It also looks good.
What is the difference between nitriding and nitrocarburizing?
Nitriding vs. Nitrocarburizing. Nitriding is another low-temperature process where nitrogen is transferred and taken up by the steel. It occurs around 510°C. Most commonly, the term nitriding refers to steel heated in ammonia gas. The term nitrocarburization refers to steel treated in salt or exogas.
How long does it take to nitride a case?
Depending on the alloy and process, virtually the same case depth and hardness can be achieved in 4 hours by nitrocarburizing that would take 24 hours with a classical nitriding process.
What is the temperature of nitrocarburizing?
There are two types of nitrocarburizing. Both types are low temperature, that is between 490°C and 580°C. This is below the tempering temperature of steel, which is over 600°C. The processes cause little or no distortion. Nitrocarburizing is more commonly applied to low-alloy steels, mild steels and cast irons, ...
What is Miheu steel?
Miheu is a family owned business with 40+ years of experience in heat treatments of steel. Facilities include steel heat treatment solutions such as traditional oil hardening and tempering in pit furnaces. In addition, Miheu has the most advanced systems for nitrocarburizing and all kinds of nitriding.
