• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bubble stains on Nitro finish from Live show

bigmikebass

bigmikebass

Jan 7, 2009
377
756
Fairview Park , Ohio
#1
Hey all,
Have a friend in the pit of the Back to the Future live show. He has a guitar he borrowed that has stains from the bubbles used in the “earth angel” scene. Anyone have any advice on cleaning off bubble stains? He tried dilute dawn on a damp cloth, naptha, and GHS guitar gloss so far to no avail. I have virtuoso polish and the ultra fine mirco mesh cloth I could try wet or dry. Any sage wisdom?
Thanks in advance.

Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeepItMoving and DJ Bebop
#3
Was just perusing some common ingredients in commercial bubble machine fluid, and polyethelene oxide is a common one. It repairs the bubbles, apparently. So it's possible your stain is plasticized in some way, or reacted to the nitro permanently (not sure of the technical terms, but I'm sure I'll have some chemistry guru come along and chastise me - this is the internet, after all!). I did notice one manufacturers' label said, "May damage furniture."
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and bigmikebass
#6
bigmikebass said:
Hey all,
Have a friend in the pit of the Back to the Future live show. He has a guitar he borrowed that has stains from the bubbles used in the “earth angel” scene. Anyone have any advice on cleaning off bubble stains? He tried dilute dawn on a damp cloth, naptha, and GHS guitar gloss so far to no avail. I have virtuoso polish and the ultra fine mirco mesh cloth I could try wet or dry. Any sage wisdom?
Thanks in advance.

Mike
Click to expand...
He needs to polish them out. Should be as simple as one good pass with compound, one good pass with polish. But, I highly doubt he wants to spend the time and energy to do it by hand. Lowes sells a little polisher by Dremel. It works cherry for small things. 1 charge will buff and polish one side of his guitar. It charges quick too.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Reedt2000, bigmikebass and DJ Bebop
#7
you know what.. get some nitro paint restorer.. don't use dawn on nitro.. do you know what the chemicals were in the bubbles.. the stain is from a chemical reaction.. the only thing is I can think of is the clear had the reaction.. so it may involve removing the clear and putting more on.. nitro melts into itself.. but show him the wear he may like it.. it's a guitar is suppose the get played.. I'm guessing wet sanding the stained area and applying new clear is the only way.. but that's can be risky for a noob.. and expensive to have someone who knows what they doing.. I would just be honest.. and offer to have it fixed.. How could you know bubbles mess with nitro..

That's so random.. relic'd by bubbles.. good story too

anyone got any ideas??
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigmikebass
#8
I’m trying to figure out whose guitar it is. Is it your guitar that you lent the guy, or did they borrow it from someone else? Either way, I’d have your friend take it to a pro (especially if stripping & refinishing are needed) to fix it. I’d also advise against lending this guy gear again.
 
#12
I’ve successfully used this 2-part polish on nitro finishes to remove light scratches. You could attempt a small sample area to see if it helps remove the finish damage.
1720664455832.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigmikebass
#14
You can just use a mild car polish and a microfiber. I once put nail polish remover on my Les Paul like an idiot and it melted the nitro. I let it harden, wetsanded it smooth again, then polished out the sanding marks. Worked great. It’s very similar to auto body repair.

If you’re not comfortable with polish and it’s just like a hard water spot you can probably use a car clay bar and remove it that way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigmikebass
#16
Virtuoso polish is really good on nitro, definitely first thing to try since you already have it. Plus it smells delicious. You might need to do a small amount at a time, rubbing small circles with a fingertip and soft cloth to actually polish it, then wiping off before doing the next little bit. Big broad wipe-on wipe-off strokes probably won't do much to remove it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigmikebass
#17
bigmikebass said:
I was thinking Meguiar's Cleaner Wax might be an option. Have some at the ready.
Click to expand...
Cleaner Wax is one of their consumer line products, I’d say it’s basically a liquid wax with light polish ability. In order for it to remove a serious defect you’ll need to either use a more aggressive microfiber, or, use a little more pressure and more passes over the area. Nitro is a pretty soft substrate so you might be fine with it. I would avoid compound unless you’re gonna polish afterwards because it will mar the surface. If the cleaner wax doesn’t do the trick, Megs ultimate polish is pro quality and very affordable Walmart even carries it I think.

Clearly I used to be an autobody guy hah
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigmikebass
#19
FronTowardEnemy said:
I think @Bruce Johnson would know
Click to expand...
I agree with the guys above. The stain probably isn't very deep into the surface. There may have been a little bit of alcohol in the bubble mix. I'd try a cleaner/wax first, polishing it by hand with a microfiber cloth. If that doesn't take the stain out, then try a compound like Meguier's Ultimate, rubbing by hand, followed by the cleaner/wax.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ddnidd1, Reedt2000, FronTowardEnemy and 2 others
#20
ddnidd1 said:
If it does need to be polished/buffed out, personally I would do it by hand rather than use a powered tool. Much less chance of making a mistake/slip that could be worse than the bubble marks.
Click to expand...
It's polish. He's not sanding it. Any "mistake" can be wiped off with a rag. It'd take him about 4 hours to polish one side by hand, and not get it good enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigmikebass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back