I have a question about my next CBG project. I have a paper covered box, and want to keep the paper intact. I'm worried that over time, the paper may eventually wear and start to peel loose. I was thinking of using spray shellac or something to protect it. Has anyone used this technique? Is it even needed?

Views: 2617

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I don't have experience shellacing cigar boxes, but I have used varnish over top of a large paper lable on the end of an old tomato crate. This has worked very well and has caused the label to last for over 5 years now. I allowed the varnish to really penetrate (thick covering) the paper label for better adhesion. Maybe someone else around here with cigar box specific experience can shed some better light on this subject.
I just blow them over with rattlecan clear acrylic lacquer. Make sure the paper is soundly atached, and re-glue any loose corners before lacquering. Spray it in several light coats - don't be tempted to spray a really heavy first coat, as the lacquer can penetrate right thru' the paper and cause unsightly dark spots. I've made 130 plus CBGs and counting, so it does work!
I too like to use the spray can acrylic, I prefer the satin finish so it doesn't get all glossy. I've used it on everything from end tables to spray-painted parts, it's durable stuff.
I read somewhere that you can use decoupage glue like Mod Podge to protect the paper and gives a nice finish to it.
http://www.plaidonline.com/apmp.asp
says it acts as a "all-in-one glue, sealer and finish".
Hi Steve-

Just inviting you to consider another way of looking at this, think back to before you started with CBGs: which had more mojo--a pristine tele, or one that looked like it had been played for years? Perhaps it's due to my advancing age, but I like the well-worn look--the world can see that you (or the instrument you are playing) have been around the block.

Although I do make sure the paper is glued down well, I don't put a finish on my CBGs, and I play with fingerpicks. The paper on the face of the CBG where I play is starting to wear through to the wood, and there is crud (presumably an amalgam of sunblock, dirt and sweat) on the face where i rest my right forearm on the box. This adds to the patina. I will acknowledge that my main instrument is a 2 x 6 with a length of broom wire stretched between two nails (which is now starting to look a little beat-up--the antithesis of a highly finished instrument.

Best regards, Willie
Thanks for all the input guys! I think I'll go with the spray on acylic laquer. Just a couple of light coats to keep the worst of the dirt and sweat off the paper. Willie, I do like your advice too. That's why I'm not going to put the coating on heavy, like I said, just a couple of light coats. Now, if I happen to find a nice 100 year old cigar box at an antique shop somewhere, well that one will definatly be all natural.

Thanks again for all the advice. You guys rock!
I tested this this morning with some unused cans of spray lacquer that came with some car paint - seems to work a treat on paper cb labels, dries to a nice silky sheen, though will use wood/yacht varnish on my finished bare wood (behind the neck).

ChickenboneJohn said:
I just blow them over with rattlecan clear acrylic lacquer. Make sure the paper is soundly atached, and re-glue any loose corners before lacquering. Spray it in several light coats - don't be tempted to spray a really heavy first coat, as the lacquer can penetrate right thru' the paper and cause unsightly dark spots. I've made 130 plus CBGs and counting, so it does work!

Is polyurethane an acryllic?  I recently wrecked a pretty box spraying with poly.

Yeah...um, good luck with that.  ;)

In  the end I decided to do nothing to the paper. I figured its paper, so it will wear no matter what. I have to admit all of that mojo Shane has on his guitar has a certain appeal to it.

Try painting layers of PVA GLUE on your box,it dries see through and makes the box stronger.

try it out on a spare piece of paper first,so you can see what happens,

good luck

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Project Punch!

" Thank ya again Keith!"
19 minutes ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Punch Project!

" Thank Ya Keith!"
23 minutes ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
2 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
2 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
3 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
4 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
4 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
4 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
4 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Doug Thorsvik's video
8 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked A.D.EKER's video
8 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Doug Thorsvik's video
8 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->