Nitro & Plexi

[DIYguitarguy]

Will the application of a plexiglass pickguard onto a guitar finished with nitrocellulose lacquar adversly affect that finish?

[thegarehanman]

No more than any other plastic pickguard would.

[DIYguitarguy]

Would your answer be a "yes" or a "no"? I know that certain types of plastic are being used, but the confusion for me stems from opinions I've read that state "never expose a nitro finish (long term) to plastic".

Could this be myth or fact?

[thegarehanman]

The answer would be, most likely, no. Considering that fender used nitro for ages and, as we all know, fenders have always had plastic pickguards, I really would not be concerned. Although, be forwarned that this advice comes from simple logic, not experience. I, personally, avoid nitro.

[DIYguitarguy]

Thanks. I may heed your advice and go with a water based application. I've used nitro, and sometimes it is problematic. I've got some left over and would like to use, rather than waste it.

[thegarehanman]

I think the most important thing is that if you spray nitro, give the nitro propper time to dry so that screwing a pickguard to it does not make an impression in the finish. This would be even more evident if you used a clear pickguard.