Priority Four Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I have a standard J45 that was built in Feb of this year. The nitro finish seems soft. It is hard to keep this guitar clean. I just buff most of my guitars with a dry tee shirt. I almost always need a little polish to get the arm rash off of it. Will that finish harden up with time? Should I be doing something different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Hello! yes definitely it will eventually harden and cure completely. Nitro is mailable for quite a long time and you'll probably always notice some haze where your skin comes in contact with the top. A lot of us use Virtuoso cleaner and polish - it's probably the best stuff out there for nitro, (or any other finish. for that fact). best, /Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priority Four Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 Thanks for the info. I'll pick some up. Please tell me that it will continue to have that sweet nitro smell. My son has a 2011 Les Paul that still has a hint of it. They should bottle that smell. It just makes me happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Not sure about the newer nitro formulation but the old stuff took about a full year to cure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Sorry, I thought you had a question about a bird. Anyhow, how d'ja like the finsh (finshes) on this Les Paul? Nitrocellulose lacquer reacts readily with certain body chemistries, especially in warmer weather. Yes, many Gibson players swear by the Virtuoso polish, described on their website as being designed specifically for nitrocellulose lacquer finishes. It also does a good job protecting, so that things wipe off easily. Makes for a speedy feeling neck, too. Not a problem in long sleeve weather, but in warm, and especially outside playing environments, many players will avoid the gross sensation of sweating on their guitars by cutting a thin cotton sock between the toe & heel, and wearing that "elbow" on the arm that drapes over the lower bout. Maybe you could give that a shot while you're waiting for that nitro to cure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorick Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Hi Priority Four, Whatever you do, do not leave a Snark tuner on your guitar for any length of time (such as overnight). The Nitro doesn't react well to rubber. Similarly, some guitar stands have materials that will damage nitro finishes. Finches, on the other hand, don't do much damage to guitars unless they peck or poop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRC Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I've posted this before, but here's what a Fender mini stand did to the back of my J-35. DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Other than practically all other finishes, a nitrocellulose finish will never cure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I also remember reading recently in these parts that you shouldn't clean or use the polish until the guitar's been aired out a bit otherwise you rub those oils into the finish permanently for a cloudy look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Priority Four Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 Thanks for the comments. I had not thought about the tuner. I always take it off when I put it away, but I am going to be more aware of how long it is on there. I get that the nitro never really cures, but my other nitro finished guitars were not ever this soft feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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