Flaking finish

[TelePaul]

Hey guys,

Have my Highway One tele here....noticed that the finish is flaking in parts...i ran a pick across on part and the stuff started shedding big time. I think I've worn off the low satin lacquer because the wood below has a matte look...is this normal, no?

 

[muttley600]

No its not normal can you get a pic for all to see? How long you had it?

 

[TelePaul]

Over two years. It does get alot of playing. And I probably have been rougher with it than I should have; I recently used a polish on it to tidy it up a bit; but this seemed to make the scrapes and scuffs in the satin lacquer finish stand out more. Pics to follow. I think when I bought the thing, the guy in the shop said it would get ''relic'd'' pretty quickly

 

[muttley600]

I think they have a nitro finish. What did you polish it with as matter of interest?

 

[TelePaul]

Heres some pics...as i see these were mildly aggravated by runnign a pick over them:

http://i10.tinypic.com/2dwdbuq.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/30tqbdh.jpg

 

[TelePaul]

nah its not nitro, its Satin Polyurethane Finish. Polish is Planet Waves 'Restore', cream polish.

 

[muttley600]

That ain't good!! Is is just local to that area? If you tap lightly with your fingernail around the polish by the damaged area does it sound different to the rest of the body? If yes it would indicate a possible adhesion problem that may continue to flake. Not nitro!! I thought they sold them as retro with nitro!!

 

[TelePaul]

well the unfinished areas have a louder sound...the rest of the finished area sounds the same. Im not worried if it flakes...will it ruin the sound?

 

[muttley600]

A quick search turned up this spec for the finish. Not saying your wrong just confused now

 

[TelePaul]

They re-issued the highway one series a few months back; you're looking at the upgarde. The originals have a satin polyurethane; I still ahve the old Fender specs I printed off when I bought it.

 

[muttley600]

will it ruin the sound?

Unlikely, maybe it might change it a bit if you lost a lot of the finish. The finish or subtracts a bit of stiffness to the body. If you change the stiffness of the body you change the way soundwaves move through it. You'll most likely be ok but I'd keep an eye on it for a while.

They re-issued the highway one series a few months back; you're looking at the upgarde. The originals have a satin polyurethane; I still ahve the old Fender specs I printed off when I bought it.

Ah that would explain that. Boy its hard to keep up sometimes....

 

[TelePaul]

Unlikely, maybe it might change it a bit if you lost a lot of the finish. The finish or subtracts a bit of stiffness to the body. If you change the stiffness of the body you change the way soundwaves move through it. You'll most likely be ok but I'd keep an eye on it for a while.

Doesn't seem like theres alot I can do though..I mean its not like Rory Gallaghers strat or SRV's....though I dont have the money to cough up for another guitar (though when I do, I'll go nitro for sure). Honestly, I dont give a shit how it looks. Just how it plays and sounds.

 

[muttley600]

I mean its not like Rory Gallaghers strat

Now there was a man who didn't giva sh.. I saw him once in London in the seventies. He walked on stage with a bag of chips. Wiped his hands on the wrapper and picked up his strat and played the best set you could possibly imagine. Heard other people talk about him doing similar things so I suspect it was part of his act..Wouldn't have wanted to be guitar roadie tho

 

[TelePaul]

I'm not THAT bad...I had a nasty time once which prompted an investment in strap locks...sometimes I'll just catch the body on my belt...theres actually a fair amount of belt rash. But is this gonna be a huge problem? I'm never gonna try sell the thing.

 

[muttley600]

But is this gonna be a huge problem? I'm never gonna try sell the thing.

Like I said if your happy with the gigged look and its not spreading you should be fine.

I just took a closer look at your pic. There seems to be some sort of printing in the finish or is that just the pic?? Looks like the sort of mark gaffa tape may leave!!

 

[TelePaul]

what if it IS spreading??? ANd yeah, ive noticed that too!! looks liek a zip maybe...or a chain I was wearing perhaps? Its weird alright...this thing dings like nothing else.

 

[muttley600]

Is it printed into the finish? That sort of mark you can get on soft lacquer that hasn't cured or finish that has sofened for some reason. Seems to right where you arm may have rested on the top bout. Can you dent the finish with your fingernail where those marks are? Any other similar marks on the finish elsewhere? I think before you start to think about how it may effect playability it would be good to try and see if its still a problem. Marks like that are often from clothing or the inside of the case but the finish needs to be soft for some reason

 

[TelePaul]

Is it printed into the finish? That sort of mark you can get on soft lacquer that hasn't cured or finish that has sofened for some reason. Seems to right where you arm may have rested on the top bout. Can you dent the finish with your fingernail where those marks are? Any other similar marks on the finish elsewhere? I think before you start to think about how it may effect playability it would be good to try and see if its still a problem. Marks like that are often from clothing or the inside of the case but the finish needs to be soft for some reason

I seem to remember having 'smudged' the finish once byr ubbing too hard with a cloth. And yeah, It does taint very easily...clothing the bruses off leaves a pattern for ages. I havnt much in the way of nails, but a .66 pick seems to leave a mark alright.

 

[muttley600]

Hmmm I would worry about a finish that is that soft if only because of how its going to hold up over the next few years of playing. I haven't seen any fenders with polish that soft. Others may chip in. I know its hard to judge but how long has it been like that??

 

[TelePaul]

Hmmm I would worry about a finish that is that soft if only because of how its going to hold up over the next few years of playing. I haven't seen any fenders with polish that soft. Others may chip in. I know its hard to judge but how long has it been like that??

Well it got belt rash since the day I got it. And the lacquer has been, i dunno 'pierced' on and off for a while. But only lately have I noticed the finish cracking a little where it has been pierced. lemme see..i got it before my 18th birthday...so Ive had it 2 and a half years. I think its a sweet guitar though; sounds nice and i'm so used to playing it. It also has a great deal of sentimental value to me too, so I dont want to 'fix' it. Worst case scenraio if the finish doesnt hold up? Rory strat?