Autograph pen clear gloss top coat question

[Ian Davlin The Looth Group]

Ultra Flow Ultra Bond sounds like a good move. Mist a coat on with an airbrush first so there is no chance of the pen ink getting the idea to run.

[Al Pachter Al’s Guitar Workshop]

Excellent! Thanks so much, Ian!

[Carl Chalmers Chalmers Guitar Repair]

Hey Al-I just had a similar job come into my shop. It’s an oil based pen similar to yours but made by craftsmart. The Signature is John 5 and it’s a Fender custom shop tele finished in nitro lacquer. How did the Mowhawk ultra bond workout for you? I’ve read the oil based pens contain acetone as a solvent so i’m hesitant to use coat of lacquer over the top. I’ll have to google the Ultra bond MSDS. Thanks in advance for any tips or advice. -Carl

[Alan]

Hey Carl! The Ultra Flo Ultra Bond worked great. I tested it out using the same pen on another dummy guitar then used it on the actual. The explanation I got from the tech advisor at Klingspor Woodworking company (where I buy Ultra Bond) in North Carolina is that Ultra Bond has a chemical additive similar to CA glue that allows it to adhere to existing finishes.

[Carl Chalmers Chalmers Guitar Repair]

Thanks AL!

[Carl Chalmers Chalmers Guitar Repair]

The Edge strat is a urethane finish right? My only concern now is my guitar is Nitro. I better just do some tests 😉 Thanks again!

[Dave Staudte (rhymms with "Howdy") NB Guitar Repair (New Braunfels, TX)]

This is great info! This problem comes up more often than people think.

I’ve seen finishes just destroy autographs to the point that I don’t even attempt to take it on.

Will try this though! Thanks!