Rubbersoul93 Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Hello folks, New to the forum, and am looking forward to being a part of this community! My main guitar for the last 10 years has been a 2001 Gibson Explorer Gothic. I'm looking into a new guitar, but had some concerns. I can see that most if not all Gibson guitars currently on the market have a nitro finish. After doing some research, I learned that the nitro finishing can be dangerous, is extremely flammable, and creates toxic fumes. I've also heard talk of nitro guitars never fully curing, and emitting small amounts of fumes for years and years. My concern is, is there any health hazard associated with nitro finishes? I have two small boys under 3, and they love to touch my Explorer, and I'm worried that this finish might be hazardous for them to touch (or eat) as my youngest one likes to put his mouth on everything. I don't want be afraid of touching my guitar because of the finish. I know this sounds paranoid, but any insight you guys have would be much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Same paint that's on your 2001 Explorer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 (edited) No, there is no harm or health hazard to be concerned with here . Once it's applied and cured at the factory it's innate. The formulas for the finishes on these guitars have been in use since the 1950s and was very much the same that was used for autos back then Essentially, you're creating or worrying about a problem that doesn't exist. Edited October 7, 2022 by kidblast 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Kids who never eat a little dirt, or nitro, are the ones who grow up too stupid to function. Nitro won't kill you. It makes you stronger... 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 1 minute ago, Murph said: Kids who never eat a little dirt, or nitro, are the ones who grow up too stupid to function. Nitro won't kill you. It makes you stronger... It gives me the runs... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 13 minutes ago, Big Bill said: It gives me the runs... That's the soap "chaser" you always insist on... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 (edited) The only finish I can think of that isn’t crazy toxic would be shellac or wax, neither of which would be practical for a mass produced instrument. Anyway it’s only toxic when the finish is being applied at the factory Any finish being applied at a factory is going to be toxic. The finish will be completely cured before it is even buffed etc at the factory. If it isn’t cured the buffer will gum up the finish Edited October 7, 2022 by Dub-T-123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Hoo boy. A new problem in need of a solution looking for a problem. Nitro Cover, something like that. Protect everyone in the bar from your toxic guitar. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Guitars are supposed to be touched, how else are you gonna play it? If nitro was hazardous, most if not all of us here would have Nitro-hemorrhaging. There are pills for it, but reading the side affects takes up most of the commercial. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 1 hour ago, rct said: Hoo boy. A new problem in need of a solution looking for a problem. Nitro Cover, something like that. Protect everyone in the bar from your toxic guitar. rct Oh we must ask the next question What would California do?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 1 minute ago, kidblast said: Oh we must ask the next question What would California do?? Put a sticker on it to let you know its a carcinogen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Nitro is flammable in a liquid state. When spraying , the oversprays are flammable. when sanding nitro dry. It can create dust that can get into your lungs in a dried state. No. No more toxic than the wood it sits on . urathane is no different. As a liquid , its toxic, when sprayed it has a catalyst that will eat your lungs. And is very flammable when it is dry ,cured. No harm. sanding certain woods like ebony or rosewood can cause serious damage if you dont wear proper protection. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 2 hours ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Put a sticker on it to let you know its a carcinogen. Phew! and here I thought that BAN BAT was comin out again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 (edited) C'mon guys. He or she's concerned. Let's not make fun of that. The good news is: no, you can let it go. It's fine. Edited October 7, 2022 by Pinch 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 6 hours ago, Pinch said: C'mon guys. He or she's concerned. Let's not make fun of that. The good news is: no, you can let it go. It's fine. Yeah, you are right. I apologize. Enjoy your guitars, let the kids enjoy your guitars. My cats have always enjoyed my guitars, and I wouldn't let them near anything that would harm them. Ignore us guitar curmudgeons and rock on with it. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbersoul93 Posted October 8, 2022 Author Share Posted October 8, 2022 I want to thank you folks all for the feedback. I do tend to be a bit over cautious about things sometimes, and do often find myself the butt of the joke, but no hard feelings. I appreciate all of the input, and I'm definitely less concerned. The worry over the nitro has kept me from grabbing one, but man that 70s Explorer in white sure looks nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 No problem (unless you live in California) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabarone Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 Nitro gives me GAS... How did this joke get all the way to me ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrdinaryNimda Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 7 hours ago, merciful-evans said: No problem (unless you live in California) But then again, there are other problems in Cali, that make this one look like cakewalk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 I think that its good to remember that if you ingest enough of anything that it will probably kill you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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