Preserving an autograph

Marshall_stax

As some of you may have seen in my recent thread, I was lucky enough to be gifted a BMG Red Special with Brian’s autograph on it. 

The obvious question I have for the finishing specialists here is, what can I do to preserve the autograph? 

I’m guessing spraying it with an acrylic clear coat will be the most effective way to go? I have some (pictured) left over from an old Strat copy that I did a rattle can finish on. Can I just shoot a light coat of that over it?
 According to the BMG website, Brian signs with a Sharpie® brand metallic paint marker, so I know it’s not signed with a standard ink Sharpie. I don’t know if the finish on the guitar is nitro or poly. 

Any advise gratefully received. 

Thanks all. 

SteveRobinson

If anything, I'd use a piece of clear acoustic guitar pickguard material.

Marshall_stax

SteveRobinson said:

If anything, I'd use a piece of clear acoustic guitar pickguard material.

Is that self adhesive Steve? I did watch the below vid (buy skipping through, it’s very long) where the chap makes an acrylic cover for the entire top half of the body,but he didn’t seem to have a solution to stop it flapping about at the edges.

SteveRobinson

Yes it is. The same stuff is used to protect car paintwork, e.g. the wheelarches on a Porsche

greggreg66

One other option might be too get the same sharpie pen, put a small mark under the pickguard and spray over it - masking everything off so that you’re only spraying a concealed patch under the guard. If there’s no adverse reaction you’re good to go. See if you can find out what the finish is in the meantime? 

tone1

A bit of Jif and and scouring pad will get rid of that in no time....

danishbacon

I’d be tempted to simply not play the guitar and keep it in its case. Maybe a piece of non acidic archival paper over the signature when you close it so that it is protected from any reaction with the case lining?

phil_b

danishbacon said:

I’d be tempted to simply not play the guitar and keep it in its case. Maybe a piece of non acidic archival paper over the signature when you close it so that it is protected from any reaction with the case lining?

or get it a display case and buy a non singed one for playing

andy_k

I have a LP custom, signed by Tenpole Tudor and Steve Jones, somebody tried to protect the Tenpole sig, on the bass side rim of the body, some kind of lacquer, it is peeling off, Jonesy's sig is on the back of the headstock-so it's out the way and doesn't really need protection, I know which one I care about more.
In your case, I'd go so far as making a clear extension to the pickguard, with a couple of tiny screws to hold it, or nothing-and just be really careful.

Marshall_stax

greggreg66 said:

One other option might be too get the same sharpie pen, put a small mark under the pickguard and spray over it - masking everything off so that you’re only spraying a concealed patch under the guard. If there’s no adverse reaction you’re good to go. See if you can find out what the finish is in the meantime? 

Just found out that the finish is Poly. 

Thinking of either doing the clear acoustic pick guard material that Steve suggested or someone else has suggested that clear sticky back stuff that you use to cover text books. 

Ultimately I think I’d like to clear coat it but I’d need to know it was going to work. 

mrshankly

If you want to clear coat it you'll need to key it up to make the paint stick which will ruin the signature 

duotone

Have you tried 3M? https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/car-wrapping-uk/paint-protection/

You may be able to get a roll of something similar & just use a small square over the signature.

guitartango

Might be worth a few quid soon, knowing Brian's Hospital trips!!
(Yeah morbid thing to say)

WezV

if you are sticking something on that's adhesive, or finishing over, its potentially a one shot deal.   Needs to be right first time,  or any attempt to change it will likely lose the sig.   I would avoid a permanent mod if at all possible


First, I would go for some kind of static cling clear vinyl, and expect to replace it every few years
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A4-Static-Cling-Glass-Clear-Laser-Printable-Window-Decals-Labels-Stickers-Film/131027989422?hash=item1e81e073ae:m:mswmhdQPCt6sgBxzliJocHQ

You will need to decide whether to do a small sticker covering the sig, or a larger sticker shaped to fit the whole area.  I'm not sure if that will stick enough long term, but worth a go first. 

 If not i would try some vinyl with a really low tack adhesive.... Similar to those guitar facelift things Rick Parfitt was involved with
https://www.guitarfacelift.com/index.htm

MtB

How about mobile phone/tablet screensaver film? As far as I'm aware that doesn't have any adhesives on it. I have used this as a thin unobtrusive "scratchguard" material on some of my guitars.

Marshall_stax

Thanks for all the tips guys. 

I’ve decided to the same as the guy in the video I posted above and fit a clear non adhesive 0.5mm Perspex using the existing scratch plate screws to hold it in place. 

This way it’s fully reversible and won’t do any damage to the signature. 

I contacted the guy to find out how he stoped it flapping around at the edges and he said he used clear glue spots (also removable).

I’ve already made a template, slightly different to the one in video and I’m just waiting for the sheet to arrive. 

I will post pics of the process on this thread once all the bits arrive for those who may be interested. 

Thanks again for the help one and all.