Envirotex over ink

[Adam_DIY]

I have a signature on the backplate of one of my guitars which I'd like to preserve and I'm wondering if envirotex would work to protect it.  The backplate is plastic and has been signed in gold pen does anyone know if envirotex is likely to react with it?  I asked a friend to shoot some nitro over it for me but he thinks the nitro might make it run plan B is resin but I have no idea if it's likely to have any reaction or not.

Anyone have any idea if this could cause me any problems or am I being overly cautious. 

[matmosphere]

Not sure if it would mess with the signature or not but I will say envirotex is pretty thick stuff. It would make for a noticeable bump out on the back of the guitar. Honestly if it's a plastic cover for the electronics cavity and the signature is important to you either take it off and frame it, or flip it over so the autograph is inside the cavity. 

[bcalla]

It probably depends on the ink, but I know it will make a standard sharpie run.

[somnif]

If you insist upon it, I'd STRONGLY recommend getting a gold sharpie and testing the effects of your coverage on a piece of scrap plastic before trying it on the signature itself.

I'd personally recommend just swapping out the part and framing it, but the choice is yours.

[mjg]

And your friend is right about the nitro making a pen run.  I've tried to spray clear over a red marker on a guitar, and it separated the components of the ink, leaving a big yellow streak across the guitar body in the direction of the spray.  Nice one. 

[Adam_DIY]

Hmm thanks chaps food for thought. 

[Zigcat]

Just out of curiousity's sake... Who signed it?

[Adam_DIY]

Just out of curiousity's sake... Who signed it?

I got to meet Paul Smith last year and he signed it for me



I've been having a look at it and it doesn't look like sharpie I think it's a paint pen.  Plan C could be to stick some acetate over it and then clear over that.  I'd really like to have it back on the guitar and not up on a wall.

[Zigcat]

That's awesome! Yeah, id just get another back plate and frame that one, like matmosphere suggested. Even if you seal it, shit can happen. Kid finds a screwdriver and customizes it for you, gets stolen or who knows what else.

[Rockhorst]

That's one nice looking signature!
You could try to, sort of, laminate it? Just glue thin acrylic sheet over it? Not sure how that goes for longevity.

[Adam_DIY]

I'm thinking about trying the self adhesive clear paper I have for pedal decals cutting it to size and then clearcoating over that.  I don't see why that would affect it. 

[EBK]

I'm thinking about trying the self adhesive clear paper I have for pedal decals cutting it to size and then clearcoating over that.  I don't see why that would affect it.

You're making me nervous here.   
I'm imagining myself trying to lay down a sticker that big while avoiding air bubbles. 
I'll throw another option out there:
Buy a new guitar and just hang this one up on the wall where it can't get messed up.   

[Zigcat]

It would be pretty rad to get Paul's opinion. He has been building guitars for....? Ever?

I am sure he has had some similar request from customers. But he'd probably be like, "it's just my signature, who cares?" 

[Adam_DIY]

I'm thinking about trying the self adhesive clear paper I have for pedal decals cutting it to size and then clearcoating over that.  I don't see why that would affect it.

You're making me nervous here.   
I'm imagining myself trying to lay down a sticker that big while avoiding air bubbles. 
I'll throw another option out there:
Buy a new guitar and just hang this one up on the wall where it can't get messed up.   

Lol it's going to need a refret soon so that's an option.  I wonder if my Mrs will go for that.  "See it's worn out baby I'll need to get a new one" 

[gordo]

I'd go the clear sticker route and NOT clear coat it.  I'd think there might be too much chance of buggering up the sticker.  On the other hand you'd need to worry about the sticker peeling with age and use but depending on how much this guitar gets gigged it might be a non-issue.

Very cool tag though.