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Finish delam fix

tuberide

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Feb 17, 2005
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Here's one that I need advice on. This is a delamination or bubble in the finish on my Les Paul Jr. Complicating this fix is that it intersects the decal. Is it best to leave alone or can it be fixed? Thanks.


031.jpg
 

Seoighs

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Sep 17, 2006
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I've read that you can 'melt' nitro into finish bubbles by making a thin mix of nito + acetone applied in several thin coats at the end of a toothpick...shave the resulting high spot with a razor blade once set, then sand with 400 grit wet paper and finally polish with scratch remover.

...or leave it as it...no big deal to me.
 

Scott Lentz

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Jul 26, 2001
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Usually a silk screen is used for this application. How do you know its a decal?
If this is a original 50's or early 60's guitar I would let it be! This is one of those things that can go wrong in a heart beat with to many variables and no room for error. Seoighs, I would think Acetone would be to fast of a solvent to use and cause air bubbles. Maybe a slow thinner but anyway its a nightmare!!
 

keef

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Usually a silk screen is used for this application. How do you know its a decal?
If this is a original 50's or early 60's guitar I would let it be! This is one of those things that can go wrong in a heart beat with to many variables and no room for error. Seoighs, I would think Acetone would be to fast of a solvent to use and cause air bubbles. Maybe a slow thinner but anyway its a nightmare!!

If that's a 50s Jr I will eat my hat.

The Gibson logo on the originals is not silkscreened - it's a decal (as opposed to the 'Les Paul' marking, which is silkscreened):

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154051&highlight=decal
 

tuberide

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2001 Historic....maybe best to leave as is and let it age naturally. If I get a wild hair just may go ahead and try a drop fill. Thanks guys.
 

tuberide

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Well I jumped in. First I dropped in acetone to melt in the bubble. Then dropped in some lacquer to fill. It looked fine but in a couple of hours the fill raised lifting the decal. I cut the bubble with a razor and pressed the decal back down with a fingernail. Let the nightmare begin.

004-1.jpg


I've ordered some black pigment from Stewmac. Plan to drop in some black to cover the exposed wood then add several clear lacquer fills to level, scrape, sand and buff out....piece of cake. :wah Photo to follow when done.
 

keef

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Man - spare yourself a heart attack and bring it to a good repair guy!
 

tuberide

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I hear ya Keef. But I'm way out in the boondocks and have no repair guy.
Just finished with the salvage project. It ain't pretty but I like it better than the white delam. Learned a few things along the way so all is good.

003.jpg
 

keef

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Phew - that turned out pretty nice!

I did not doubt your skills BTW, but I know I would kick myself for a long time IF something would go wrong (so instead I have other people mess up my stuff...).
 

Mainah

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Wow, that was quick! It came out looking nice, but I hope that drop fill doesn't shrink down further on you.
 

tuberide

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Hopefully it won't shrink further. Actually the process took a few days with several drops with time to dry & shrink each drop fill. Leveled and polished this morning. If it cracks or shrinks I'll report back.
Thanks for the help and comments guys. Much appreciated. :peace2
 

JJC

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Good job. You and I are from the same side of the tracks (minus the big waves).
 

TedB

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The result is probably better than anyone expected, so perhaps you could take a minute to let us in on specifically which products you used and what you did.
 

tuberide

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TedB....Already somewhat described what was done...used Watco clear lacquer and Colortone black pigment for initial layer ( after setback) then multiple clear lacquer fills allowing for drying and shrinkage between fills. Once cured, scraped with razor blade scotch taped on the sides to level within .002" then used sandpaper 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 to level. Then used polishing papers 4000, 6000, 8000. Then finally McQuires #9 swirl remover.
I think my big mistake which Scott Lentz alluded to was to be carefull using such a strong solvent as acetone. I first dropped in acetone to melt the old delamination then several lacquer fills. The lacquer then lifted (bubbled) several hours later pulling up original black pigment leaving bare wood exposed and lifting part of the gold decal...definite setback, probably should have used a lacquer thinner instead.
 

tuberide

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Good job. You and I are from the same side of the tracks (minus the big waves).

East Coast... eh JJC? Yes, 10 foot is about max but it can get epic....last August/ Sept was exceptional. :jim
 
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