H-157 Finish Issue?

[Dale402]

Good evening all,

 

I have an H-157, serial starts with a T (I bought in 03 or 04). I found a finish issue, thought it was just gunk but it's not coming off at all. I actually found this site looking for Heritage info, great site and nice to be among Heritage fans!

 

I've added a pic, but essentially the finish has small dots and it looks to be in the finish. On the front lower bout where my arm rests is a small spot, but the back is about 3/4s covered and there's a straight line across where the dots start.

 

Any ideas or thoughts? Is this a known problem or do I have an abnormal finish?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dale

[heritagefan7]

I've never seen that on any Heritage before...very pronounced for sure. Possibility anything may have splattered or spilled on it?---I would hate to think that any retailer/customer would accept it that way...But it does happen. I would say from my experience and the conversations here that such a factory flaw would be abnormal for Heritage. The finishes on mine have all really been top of the line. Sorry about the flaw, but it looks like a great git. 157's are just so amazing. I hope that you can solve the mystery. Welcome to the HOC. Truly great folks here.

[Hfan]

You've had it a long time. Did it just develop or has it always been there? Never seen that before. You tried to buff it out? Maybe some Virtuoso cleaner. Or can you use Naptha on Nitro? Not sure of that. And welcome to the HOC.

[DetroitBlues]

Have you taken it in to see if it buffs out? Being nitro, a good tech should be able to fix that rather quickly, looks like the clear coat is bubbling...

[yoslate]

Yeah, Dale, can you give us a little history and some context? Where are you, storage, new or used, etc....

[bolero]

it couldn't be from contact & some kind of finish reaction, could it?

 

ie: arm, belly

 

I know nitro can react to various materials ( you don't have any rubber shirts, do you? ) and persperation can give it a haze, but haven't seen bubbling before

[mars_hall]

If I am not mistaken, bubbling can occur when moisture gets in under the finish.

 

There was a burnt amber guitar here that someone bought after it had gone through a minor basement flood and it had the same type, albeit greater, amount of blistering. Moisture can creep in from the edges at the binding.

[Gitfiddler]

I've seen anti-perspirants with aluminum chlorhidrate do that to finishes. If that is what caused it then the only fix is a refin.

[Hfan]

I've seen anti-perspirants with aluminum chlorhidrate do that to finishes. If that is what caused it then the only fix is a refin.

And for the cost of a refin you may be able to add another used Heritage and just live with this issue. If it was a new guitar it would bug me but with an 8 or 10 year old I'd live with it if no easy fix was available.

[bolero]

Yep that's minor stuff compared to other wear and tear I normally see on old gtrs

[HANGAR18]

Adds character. Just play it.

[SouthpawGuy]

Good evening all,

 

I have an H-157, serial starts with a T (I bought in 03 or 04). I found a finish issue, thought it was just gunk but it's not coming off at all. I actually found this site looking for Heritage info, great site and nice to be among Heritage fans!

 

I've added a pic, but essentially the finish has small dots and it looks to be in the finish. On the front lower bout where my arm rests is a small spot, but the back is about 3/4s covered and there's a straight line across where the dots start.

 

Any ideas or thoughts? Is this a known problem or do I have an abnormal finish?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dale

 

Is this a recent development or is it there since '03 / '04 ? I'll take a wild quess and suggest that that second photo looks like a spray pattern of some sort. Maybe insect repellent ?

[Dale402]

Thanks one and all, and thanks for taking the time to look and think about it.

 

Sadly, I've figured it out as it happened to the back of my Les Paul Classic as well. I picked it up from the naugahyde covered chair and it was kinda stuck (like old vinyl car seats in the summer) and it has it on the back too.

 

I think it will buff out....it won't come off with wax or rubbing.

 

Love my H-157 and enjoy the hell out of it. Necks a thin one and I may let it go (after a buffing) in order to get an H-150 with a thick neck.

 

And again, thanks. Very warm welcome and I really appreciate y'all taking time to ponder it.

 

Dale

[Genericmusic]

Certain guitar straps will do the same thing. That's why I only use leather ones. Welcome to the cult Dale.