Clearcoat finishes on guitars - compatibility

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

I know there are all kind of clearcoats used on guitars over the years, and that some are not compatible with others. I have several 1970's Ovations which could use some repairs that involve the clear coats. Two are electrics, one is an acoustic. One of the electrics has a dent in the back of the neck, the other two guitars could use new binding on the neck when I refret them. My preference for one of the bindings is wood, which will require clear coat for sure. The other could be plastic of some sort.

I'd like to use spray can products if possible, though I do have a modelers airbrush which might suffice for the small areas.

Is there a basic rule of thumb on compatible clear finishes? What can I put on over the old finishes that will work well?

Is there a restriction on what kind of clear coat can go on different plastics?

What about exposed glue? Can clearcoats go over dried glues ok or are some combinations verboten? (Is this where Hameritis comes from?)

[Armitage]

I have a signed USA Dean that had a clear coat sprayed over the sig, and it's pulling away from the finish underneath. So there are issues...

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

Ok, a bit more data has surfaced. Apparently these guitars were finished with a water based polyester clearcoat.

Would a nitro lacquer be compatible if sprayed on top of the polyester?

[Sugartune]

I believe the ESP brand, Edwards has a lacquer taste series, which has poly under nitro.

[Caddie]

What are the legendary "14 coats of clearcoat" on our Hamers. Lacquer? Nitro cellulose? Enamel? Water based Latex? Bodily fluid based latex.

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

The bodily fluids were used to make invisible ink. Secret messages visible with a black light. Apparently the bodily fluid needs to be a fresh sample to work well. All true!

Ovation used UV ink (but not bodily fluid based!) to mark various info on their guitars during manufacture. Dunno if Hamer did it too.

The Hamer finish seems different than the Ovation clear finishes. Further info says that the Ovation finish is a water based catalyzed polyester.

[Boomerang~Junkie]

I believe the ESP brand, Edwards has a lacquer taste series, which has poly under nitro.

Yes, I own an Edwards LP - great guitar. Bought it used, with some minor cosmetic issues - awesome for the value. This is my luthier's opinion as well - their LT finishes are difficult to blend for any repairs. Every move I decided to make seemed to make more work for him. Not bashing the brand AT ALL - but advance with caution on repairs or mods on these.