finish on 1998 Guild Bluesbird?

[johnny00]

Sorry if this has been covered, but I tried doing a search.

Is the finish on my black 1998 Buesbird polyeurathane or laquer? Thanks.

-J

 

[guitarslinger]

I'm sure someone here actually knows the answer to that and can just say "yes" or "no" to the lacquer question. But, acording to Stew-Mac a simple test is to dip a cotton swab in some acetone and touch the finish in an inconpicuous and safe place. Lacquer will almost immediately soften and become tacky. Let it dry and polish the spot and you have an answer and are as good as new again.
Now, before doing this I need to say that all the finishes I've tested were Poly and the stuff had no effect whatever. So, be careful.

 

[danerectal]

I don't recall hearing that real Guilds ever used a poly finish. I'd sure like to know myself.

edit: if you try the above test, do it in a control cavity.

 

[Guildmark]

I think poly was used in Corona due to Cali4nia's strict air quality rules. Our air nazis don't like lacquer. It's been rumoured that was another reaon for moving to Tacoma.
So your '98 BB should be nitrocellulose lacquer, Johnny00.
I've been wrong before, though.

 

[johnny00]

Thanks. Well, I'll do the acetone test on Monday and post my results. That should tell me for sure.
I can tell you this, the finish is pretty thin...which leads me to think it NOT poly.

Thanks.

 

[Stephen]

Most definitely polyurethane, not lacquer. Source: Guild brochure.

 

[hideglue]

Guild sprayed quite a bit of polyurethane back then.
Personally, I've no problem with that. But there is a perceived mojo factor attached to lacquer that poly, right or wrong, will never get.

 

[johnny00]

Thanks Stephen and hideglue. The reason I asked was because it has a finish crack on the back of the neck, and laquer would have been easier to repair.
Thanks.

 

[hideglue]

There's an old saying in certain repair circles, "Lacquer is your friend!"

 

[Bing k]

There's an old saying in certain repair circles, "Lacquer is your friend!"

Ditto that