Question about varnish finishes for guitars...

[Thomas Williamson]

...

...Does the varnish ever get "sticky" in warm and/or humid weather? I'm not talking about the kind of stickiness caused by perspiration. I'm talking about the finish actually softening with high climatic temperatures. I remember how varnished furniture would get sticky in hot weather. Sometimes your clothes would stick to it. You could even leave finger prints in it sometimes. Any chance of this occurring with guitar varnish finishes? Any drawbacks to varnish finishes on guitars? Just curious. Thanks.


Tom

[Dave Engel]

Hi Tom,

I've built several classical guitars and used Minwax Antique oil on them. This is a varnish and one I still have after 15 years is great. Still very thin, but totally still protecting and looks good. I've also used Bartley's Gel Varnish. Same there, except I quit using that product because I didn't like the way it went on... not for instrument making. Go visit any of the many guitar building forums on the web and get all the answers you could ever want.

Dave

[Thomas Williamson]

Dave,

Thanks so much for the informative response. Good to know the varnish finishes are stable and durable.

Tom