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Post subject: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 6:39 am
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So, have you ever seen/heard of damage done to guitars by termites?

This has been a topic of discussion in many forums, but I myself never saw a conclusive reply.

Wet wood termites travel through tunnels and will attack mostly houses, foundations and other pieces of soft/wet wood. Those don't really present any threat to musical instruments.

But those drywood-munching little critters that feed on furniture and floor boards? I wonder if they'd have a bite off your favorite Mustang if they come near it.

Experiences?


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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 8:08 am
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That’s a good question, Sergio. You are right about the Net not having an easily found definitive answer. I too have read about the glue in instruments attracting insects, the bug spray ruining finishes, and the spiders.

While I think acoustics with their natural unfinished wood properties would be at more risk, one thing I do know. I have an insect invaded tall old birch tree that I’m sad to say will be cut down. I wouldn’t want to lean my guitars on it or on my yard mulch for very long to find out. :P
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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 10:15 am
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Well, the bug spray I use is basically a termite killer with hidrocarbon parafinnic solvent (lighter fluid), which people actually use for cleaning nitro finishes. So I guess I am safe when my guitars get sprayed too.


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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 12:11 pm
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That’s pretty interesting. Bug spray on your guitar. That must be a killer axe you have there, Serg’. :P
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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 2:12 pm
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
That’s pretty interesting. Bug spray on your guitar. That must be a killer axe you have there, Serg’. :P
FSB



lol I don't spray the guitars, I spray the room


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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 7:13 am
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In general, it's the bug sprays that contain DEET (or perhaps the solvents that DEET requires) that destroy nitro finishes.

And it's only solvent-based finishes like nitro that are at risk. (Possibly shellac and varnish, but those aren't common on modern guitars). You could spray DEET directly onto poly without damage.

But for nitro, just trace amounts of DEET bug sprays will soften the finish. A little overspray on your shirt can leave fabric impressions in the finish.

Cologne, hair gels/sprays, anything with solvents are risky for nitro.

If you look at pics of Buddy Holly from '58/'59, his '56 Strat had extensive "wear" marks on the fretboard. He did play a lot, but I've always suspected that it was his hair pomade and cologne that caused that.


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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 5:49 pm
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strayedstrater wrote:
In general, it's the bug sprays that contain DEET (or perhaps the solvents that DEET requires) that destroy nitro finishes.

And it's only solvent-based finishes like nitro that are at risk. (Possibly shellac and varnish, but those aren't common on modern guitars). You could spray DEET directly onto poly without damage.

But for nitro, just trace amounts of DEET bug sprays will soften the finish. A little overspray on your shirt can leave fabric impressions in the finish.

Cologne, hair gels/sprays, anything with solvents are risky for nitro.

If you look at pics of Buddy Holly from '58/'59, his '56 Strat had extensive "wear" marks on the fretboard. He did play a lot, but I've always suspected that it was his hair pomade and cologne that caused that.

Interesting. My '78 Antigua was left discolored and softened by Solarcain.
I had a nasty sunburn, and the Solarcain ended up causing a slight crazing to the top of the upper horn. I thought that it was a deposit, rather than the finish actually softening, and tried to rub it off, ended up scratching a small part of it down to the base layer.

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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 6:15 pm
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That's good to know.

I had no problems with that because like I said, the bug spray I use has a naphta-like solvent, I mean Hydrocarbon Parafinnic solvent.

People even use Zippo lighter fluid to clean vintage nitro finished les paul, so I guess it's pretty safe.


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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 6:17 pm
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Btw I did a little research. It seems that the sprays that will most often contain DEET are the repelling skin prays, the ones meant to protect the body from insects.

Watch out, boys...


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Post subject: Re: Dry wood termites?
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2018 10:38 am
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Drywood Termite Facts. Drywood termites generally live, feed and nest in undecayed wood which has a very low moisture content. Unlike subterranean termites, they do not require any contact with the soil in order to live. Thus, they can seriously damage movable wooden objects such as furniture.


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