FIXING a Nitro finish...please help if you can!

[psus16]

Quick question...(okay, maybe not quick, but I'd STILL LOVE TO GET YOUR HELP!!!)

Bought a sweet nitrosprayed J-body from another TB'er (troyus). Before we go any farther, yes, troyus knows I'm posting this... I'm not talking smack about him, and he's been very cool about this whole ordeal...

The body got shipped to me wrapped in a "christmas like" wrapping paper, which was what the body was originally wrapped in when Troyus got it.

In shipment, my guess due to the heat of the multiple UPS trucks, the "metallic"/"white" snowflake like pattern from the paper transferred itself onto the nitro finish.

With a slightly damp cloth, the metallic white portions of the paper come off fairly easily, BUT the pattern of the paper is still in the finish. (ie, if you turn the body away from the light, you can clearly see the pattern...almost like a scratch, but not actually "pushed" into the finish)

Is there any SAFE way to get the "pattern/paper/waxy substance" off of the nitro finish. (by safe I mean without stripping the finish!)

I can post pics later today if needed. I sent some pics to Troyus, and he and I BOTH will be dissapointed if there is no way to fix this. I lose the body I've been wanting, (J shape with a p/j pickup config AND sherwood green) and he loses the money I paid him...bummer both ways.

Thanks all...

[stflbn]

Wet sanding until the pattern is gone, then a few new thin coats of Nitro should melt into the previous. That would be my starting point at least.

[psus16]

I'll have to ask the local luthier about the $$ on something like that.

Thanks for the input. I'm on my way to the shop now...we'll see what they say...

Any other thoughts? I'm sure any other type of "cleaner" would strip the finish, correct?

[Dekker]

If I understand your troubles correctly, the wrapping paper was a "plasticky" wrapping, similar to clear plastic bags / wrapping that you can see around flowers, etc.

If that is the case, the wrapping paper most likely had an outer layer(s) of nitrocellulose, and the heat and contact made a partial chemical bonding/transferrance.

Though the luthier will be able to confirm, I think physical removal (sanding) will be your only option. Any chemical means will have no way to differentiate between the cellulose on the bass and the cellulose of the wrapping.

The same properties are exhibited when you put a latex plastic object (toy, whatever) on top of a shelf that has been painted with latex paint... You will find the object will stick to the surface if left for long times, as the plasticizers in the paint/object will keep affecting each other...

[psus16]

Thank you all for the advice...

I just got back from the luthier, and he echoed some of your comments. He is guessing that the heat must have been substantial enough inside the shipping truck during the 3 day UPS trip to "warm" the nitro finish enough that the metallic portions of the paper bonded to it.

Coincidentally, the luthier also pointed out parts of the bass where the bubble wrap did the same thing (which I hadn't seen yet).

Eitherway, he thought the nitro finish should be just thick enough to gently 'wetsand/buff/etc' it out. BUT, he said he wouldn't think about doing it for at least a week. (something about letting the finish 'harden' completely?) If needed, he could spray on another nitro coat/2, but he didn't think it would be necessary.

Anyway, I've never professed to be a luthier/master builder, so I am just happy that it can be fixed...all for $75 bucks or less.

So, while its there, I'll just have him build the rest of the bass for me. I have a goncolo (neck wood and fretboard) neck from warmoth, along with fralin p/j pickups to install.

Should be pretty sweet. Thanks for all of your advice! I'll post pics when its done...for no other reason than I will be excited to have it!