I asked a question about the Highway 1 finish yesterday, and now I'm asking another finish question. Does a polyester finish last long? Thanks!

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Hi coolvictor25: I haven't seen your other post so forgive me if I'm talking across it.

I presume you know that the HWY1 features a thin nitrocellulose finish? It has been widely stated on this Forum that the nitro is sprayed over a polyester undercoat. I don't have a HWY1 and can't comment on that, but it does sound a completely normal thing to do in commercial guitar finishing.

Regarding the polyester finish found on Mexican Fender bodies and on Squiers: yes, it seems to last forever. Fender first used it in the '60s if I remember rightly, and we haven't heard of those early polyester finishes wearing through.

Polyester is very hard, and it tends to be applied thickly in the guitar finishing world (though it doesn't have to be that way). If it comes off at all it tends to be in chips as a result of impact, rather than by wearing through or flaking.

We've also heard here of people stripping polyester from guitar bodies. They sometimes try chemical stripper and often find the polyester very resistant to it. Even aviation grade paint stripper has been reported to have trouble getting it off. (I've done it with a heat stripping gun. No probs... )

Some hate polyester: I think it's fine. I have guitars done in all the main finish types and I think it is the least important thing to worry about. I wouldn't dream of basing a guitar purchase preference on the type of finish.

Cheers - C

All of the automotive restoration work we do at my shop gets a polyester base coat if that gives you any idea how durable it is.