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Post subject: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 1:20 pm
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I'm new here, so hello!

I've got a '78 Tele on the bench at the moment and the body lacquer finish has gone soft in places (I can remove it with a fingernail), mainly where it has usage wear - any ideas as to why?

Thanks!

H


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 7:47 am
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A bit difficult to diagnose without the guitar at hand...
But anyways, hello and welcome.

On old nitro softening, the reason is usually that the finish reacts to some chemical. I don't think sweat does that, it's more likely that the chemical has protruded in the nitro better where the nitro was worn, but who knows - e.g. Mr. Gallagher's sweat formula was said to be quite abrasive...
Do you know the history - what's been used to clean the guitar?

This time, try cleaning it very gently with Zippo fluid and a cotton rag, then leave it for a week to dry. If still soft, the only thing to try is a refinish; partial or complete. A new (buffed in, if you know the drill) nitro layer would dissolve the old somewhat, and the whole finish should cure as one layer.

Quote:
I can remove it with a fingernail
Don't! :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 2:49 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Leave it as is !


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 4:09 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Leave it as is !

I usually support the don't fix it if it ain't broke principle, but it seems there is a problem with this guitar. If the finish really is soft, the problems will only get worse and some kind of cure is needed.
That is why I chose to advice with a procedure (gentle Zippo fluid cleaning) which at best cleans off the harmful substance(s) and lets the nitro re-harden, and at least doesn't do any more damage.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 4:46 am
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If you job is to fix the paint, I understand now.

Have a look at Stew Mac, how to fix guitar paint


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:25 am
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Thanks for the comments, all.

It's not my intention to fix it, just to make it look better, but where the finish is worn (down to the wood in places) the soft edges of the paint collect dirt just by looking at them! I've cleaned it all up now, and it looks a lot better, but I was mainly curious as to why it had gone soft, whether it was a common problem (perhaps for that particular year or batch), and finally what might be done to harden it up.

Mind you, some people will pay a lot of money to buy a brand new 'reliced' guitar that looks just like this one!

H.


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 12:50 pm
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Location: Denver, CO, USA
'68 into the '80s all Fenders had poly finishes. ThickSkin poly in '78.

(Yes, CBS trademarked "ThickSkin" and used it as a selling point.)

Some strong strippers will soften poly. Other than that I can't imagine what would soften poly.

Perhaps refinished?


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Post subject: Re: 1978 Tele
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 3:18 pm
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Thanks strayedstrater.

Yup, it's definitely thick. REALLY thick! Never seen anything like it before (I mainly work on Gibsons). But is it poly, or a nitro finish over poly paint? I've come across softish nitro before (though never as soft as this), but poly always seems to stay hard as nails, whatever nasty chemicals one treats it with. A curiosity.

The finish in the neck pocket and cavities is hard though, so I wonder if indeed someone has tried to clean it with some kind of solvent which has had a permanent detrimental affect.

Anyhow, the customer seems happy with the end result, so I guess that's the important thing.

H.


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