Acoustic finish is bubbling, blistering... what can be done?

rojo412 · #1 09-25-2011, 08:55 AM

Okay, granted, this isn't a bass... but it could be happening to a bass - somewhere!

This is my dad's Tacoma Chief and it's developed some kind of finish issue that is rather troubling. It basically is separating from the wood.
I don't know the cause or solution, so I wondered if anyone had some insight they might be able to lend me.

We called Tacoma, but they had just been purchased by Fender and they basically suggested we put it in a very uncomfortable body cavity.

Probably for the fact that he bought it used, but all we wanted was advice.

Pilgrim · #2 09-25-2011, 09:52 AM

Looks to me like the finish is separating starting from edges. The bottom photo is odd because it almost looks like a bubble starting in something wrapped around the instrument - which this is not.

I think that you're going to have to live with it until it gets bad enough to refinish. Doing a refin is within your power, and there's lots of information online. I've never done an acoustic refin so I would not be in a hurry.

It kinda looks like the existing finish is releasing from moisture infiltrating under edges and seams. Are you in a really humid environment?

1958Bassman · #3 09-25-2011, 10:05 AM

The location tells me that it's separating because of perspiration and something else in the perspiration. If the guitar was resting on a bare leg, that would explain the blister at the waist. This is a problem with finishes that form a film instead of penetrating the wood. It could, however, be a prep issue.

rojo412 · #4 09-25-2011, 10:23 AM

This guitar was rarely played at all. It lives in a case. May have been overhumidified...

Pilgrim · #5 09-25-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojo412

This guitar was rarely played at all. It lives in a case. May have been overhumidified...

I was wondering about that possibility. Humidity is one of those things that more is not always better.

However, in that case reducing the humidity would at least slow down the advancing problem.

rojo412 · #6 09-25-2011, 11:43 AM

I have it out of the case in my relatively dry house to see what happens.