Finish question... "Nitro Varnish?"

[soliver]

I've heard and read that it is a bad idea to put things like armrests or Tonegards on instruments with Varnish finishes.

A friend recently purchased a new Collings MFGTSB. He says he believes it has a "nitro varnish" finish... is there such a thing? I've alway heard "Nitro" in combination with lacquer.

If "Nitro Varnish" is a thing, is it safe to use things like armrests or Tonegards on such finish? I ask because he has expressed an interest in one of my armrests, but I didn't want to sell him on if its going to damage his finish.

[Nevin]

I suspect he is using varnish as a generic term for a finish and it is a nitro-celulose laquer. There are some runner and plastics that react badly with nito but my understanding is your product is wood. If so I don't see any issue.

[George R. Lane]

It can take up to a year for varnish finishes to cure. When the varnish is soft then damage can be done by an armrest. If it is a laquer finish then there should be no problem. I have a McClung armrest and a Tone Gard on my 2010 Weber Yellowstone (laquer) and Have never had any problems.

[multidon]

There is such a thing as a "hybrid" finish. Northfield uses a "hybrid" of lacquer and varnish on their Big Mon model. But the two aren't mixed together. The instrument is finished with a shellac based varnish, then a thin lacquer top coat is applied. That being said, I think your friend is mistaken, and he has lacquer on that instrument. But hybrids are not just possible but common. Any time you French Polish with shellac over something else, that is technically a hybrid.

[Greg Mirken]

Certainly this question is best posed to Collings Guitars.

[soliver]

Thanks everyone, I suggested he check with the place he bought it from or with Collings (using the SN) to figure out if it has Nitro Lacquer or Spirit Varnish finish.

Thanks guys for the guidance... much appreciated.