Decals/Stickers on a Nitro Finish...What's Safe?

[crunchee]

I saw some Vince Ray 'Psychobilly' artwork stickers recently, I thought about putting a few on a guitar or two, but nearly everything I see is apparently on a vinyl backing...and my understanding is that vinyl will melt a nitro finish. I don't know if what they call 'vinyl' for decals/stickers is ACTUAL vinyl or not. Does anybody know? Anybody here have any good/bad results with modern-type vinyl decals/stickers on a nitro guitar finish?

Years ago, it wasn't uncommon to find decals that were what they call 'waterslide' types, which were the kind that you could find in model airplane and car kits. As far as I know, 'waterslide' decals are safe on nitro finishes, but any selection I can find on a 'waterslide' backing is VERY limited. Plus, 'waterslide' decals aren't very weather-resistant, which is probably why you won't see many if at all, except for (again) model kits. They used to be popular for automobiles, but vinyl backing seems to have taken over.

Vinyl backing won't hurt a poly finish, AFAIK...but again, I'm looking for something currently available that won't hurt a nitro finish. Anybody know?

Thanks in advance!

[RichRS6]

Not sure if it will damage the finish or not but if it's on there for a long time the finish will fade around it leaving a sticker shaped shadow which would look as bad as damage due to the glue.

[crunchee]

True, if the sticker was on almost anything except black...but it's for a black nitro-finished guitar. The clearcoat on top tends to yellow with age and the sticker would keep that from happening, but with black it's not noticeable unless you take a flash photo of the guitar, then it tends to have an olive green shade...but only in the photo.

I've had a vinyl-pull tab in an old Ovation case come into contact with the nitro finish on the back of the neck of a ancient Harmony guitar I once had (the case was the one I got that guitar in), and it turned the finish in that area into goo. Thankfully, it was only a small area, but I wound up scraping up the small patch of gooed-up nitro off the neck, as the affected finish simply refused to re-cure and dry. That's why I asked the question, I sure wouldn't want a BIG patch of goo on a guitar!

[kizanski]

NOT this!

[Hbom]

/\ /\ /\ Ouch!

[Stike]

I wouldn't trust a nitro. finish (lots of manufacturers, lots of formulations) to have a sticker on it for any length of time and not be affected by it in some way.

[crunchee]

Thanks for the info and advice! I think if I do ANYTHING with stickers on a guitar now, I'll just find something small enough to fit on a back panel or a pickguard. They're relatively expendable and/or fairly easy to get residue off of. Either that, or get some vintage 'waterslide' decals.

[RichRS6]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Made-to-Order-Custom-Waterslide-Decal-Stickers-For-Decor-Toys-Guitars-More-/281064924950

This might be a good place. not affiliated etc etc.

[Steve Haynie]

Did anyone else put a rubber fishing worm in with their GI Joe stuff and find it had melted some of the plastic after a while?

[velorush]

Did anyone else put a rubber fishing worm in with their GI Joe stuff and find it had melted some of the plastic after a while?

Yes! Those things are incredible! My Plano tackle box had worm-proof trays, but everything else in the box was subject to being melted - dangerous, those worms! The wiggly part of soft spinner baits would even melt the accompanying skirts!

I'd heed Stike's advice: too many things being called Nitro these days. Who's to know what is safe?

[Toadroller]

NOT this!

Three-fitty and I'll take that eyesore away.

Beauty.

[kizanski]

NOT this!

Three-fitty and I'll take that eyesore away.

This eyesore?