Question from sal
I read a question about a guy with a guitar that still had a poly. odor to it. I have a guitar body that I painted and finished with auto body clear coat, its been two weeks and it has a very light odor, the clear coat is very hard. I don’t know the exact curing time, but the odor seems to be coming more from the wiring cavity then the body. I am wondering if this is hazardous, should I wait to use it or will this finish be emiting this odor for quite some time.
Debra’s Answer
Auto body clear coat? This is very toxic.
I believe that this product is designed to be used with a heat-drying method. In a body shop they apply it and then dry it with heat, so it dries fast, it is not designed for air-drying. I think it will continue to outgas for quite some time.
It’s best to use finishes that are designed for the material they are being applied to. There are many less toxic wood finishes that could be applied to musical instruments. In fact, if I were doing this, I would research the natural finishes that were used on wood instruments prior to the availability of industrial finishes. They would most likely produce a better sound as well.
