LeGrand Rim Discoloration from Shipping?

**FourOnSix** · 06-24-2023, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by floatingpickup

I also sold a guitar (Campellone Deluxe) because it got stained like this. Like Vinny, I have regretted selling that guitar ever since. That guitar was amazing in every other way, and I should not have let the minor discoloration get to me.
Keith

I have a Campellone Special with stained binding. It was delivered in a Harptone case, but the staining was caused by a burgundy guitar cloth, not the case lining. How do I know that? The cloth committed the same heinous act on one of my other guitars.

I will never sell my Campellone.

**Dennis D** · 06-24-2023, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by FourOnSix

I have a Campellone Special with stained binding. It was delivered in a Harptone case, but the staining was caused by a burgundy guitar cloth, not the case lining. How do I know that? The cloth committed the same heinous act on one of my other guitars.

I will never sell my Campellone.

I can sympathize.......

So if am I understanding this process, and make any corrections - -

' The discolorations are caused by dyes found in materials which either come in direct contact with the poly-based, lacquer finished bindings, or leach onto the binding lacquer....( is ' leaching the same as ' off-gassing ' ? )
And the next stage of discoloration occurs when the color penetrates through the lacquer into the actual binding.....'

I keep hearing Naptha, as something to try, but feel free to rule this out......next a search even showed the ubiquitous ( BS ) cure for anything these days - - baking soda and vinegar.........Then I recalled an automotive ( marine ) solution - if the leaching process is 'off-gassing', Porsche Owners Forum recommended the ' Mequiars Clear Plastic Polish ' then 'Clear Pastic Detailer ', for removing the film ( fog ) that'd appear on convertible top rear-windows and basically fog and block the view through it.....They called it off-gassing which they blamed on mid-engine exhaust gases mixing with dyes found in the carpets.......It came out in discussions that boaters had used this on clear windshields, and diving masks...( ?? )....And FWIW, neither product shows the ingredients, although they both state 'military spec compliant'....it actually does work, but was an annual / semi-annual operation.....

I wonder whether we could / should try to at least establish some DIY methods for us to try before the trip to the luthier's or the potentially regrettable ' making the guitar go away'......

**FourOnSix** · 06-24-2023, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dennis D

I can sympathize.......

So if am I understanding this process, and make any corrections - -

' The discolorations are caused by dyes found in materials which either come in direct contact with the poly-based, lacquer finished bindings, or leech onto the binding lacquer....( is ' leeching the same as ' off-gassing ' ? )
And the next stage of discoloration occurs when the color penetrates through the lacquer into the actual binding.....'

I keep hearing Naptha, as something to try, but feel free to rule this out......next a search even showed the ubiquitous ( BS ) cure for anything these days - - baking soda and vinegar.........Then I recalled an automotive ( marine ) solution - if the leeching process is 'off-gassing', Porsche Owners Forum recommended the ' Mequiars Clear Plastic Polish ' then 'Clear Pastic Detailer ', for removing the film ( fog ) that'd appear on convertible top rear-windows and basically fog and block the view through it.....They called it off-gassing which they blamed on mid-engine exhaust gases mixing with dyes found in the carpets.......It came out in discussions that boaters had used this on clear windshields, and diving masks...( ?? )....And FWIW, neither product shows the ingredients, although they both state 'military spec compliant'....it actually does work, but was an annual / semi-annual operation.....

I wonder whether we could / should try to at least establish some DIY methods for us to try before the trip to the luthier's or the potentially regrettable ' making the guitar go away'......

I'm pretty sure leaching and off-gassing are two different phenomena. In any event, I was told by the repair department of Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, California, whose knowledge I fully trust, that the only fix is to refinish the binding.

**Max405** · 06-24-2023, 03:22 PM

Dennis, the problem with diy solutions is, we would possibly be fixing a problem with an even bigger problem.
If you are using a solution that can penetrate the lacquer and eliminate the staining, I can’t imagine that solution not making the lacquer itself go bye-bye. Whenever I’ve seen “fixes” you can usually still see the problem, only just slightly less of it.
The thing is, luckily, the thing that makes this happen to lacquer is the same exact thing that makes it fixable. It is a porous material that is susceptible to stains. But, You can scrape off the old lacquer (and perhaps some binding) and spray new lacquer on. And the new lacquer will bond with the old lacquer. Resurface the lacquer and the repair will be perfect.
The problem with this is, most of the time repair shops require you leaving your much wanted guitar in their shop, sometimes for months on end - and I for one don’t have the patience or desire to do that.
So, I have an L5 that is LOADED with these stains and believe it or not, it is still my favorite guitar that I’ve ever owned.
It’s my baby. Age spots and all.
JD

**tomvwash** · 06-24-2023, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Max405

Dennis, the problem with diy solutions is, we would possibly be fixing a problem with an even bigger problem.
If you are using a solution that can penetrate the lacquer and eliminate the staining, I can’t imagine that solution not making the lacquer itself go bye-bye. Whenever I’ve seen “fixes” you can usually still see the problem, only just slightly less of it.
The thing is, luckily, the thing that makes this happen to lacquer is the same exact thing that makes it fixable. It is a porous material that is susceptible to stains. But, You can scrape off the old lacquer (and perhaps some binding) and spray new lacquer on. And the new lacquer will bond with the old lacquer. Resurface the lacquer and the repair will be perfect.
The problem with this is, most of the time repair shops require you leaving your much wanted guitar in their shop, sometimes for months on end - and I for one don’t have the patience or desire to do that.
So, I have an L5 that is LOADED with these stains and believe it or not, it is still my favorite guitar that I’ve ever owned.
It’s my baby. Age spots and all.
JD

Agreed on the diy, Joe, I'm not touching this LeGrand, especially after the insight on this thread (thanks, all). 90 percent of the real estate on it is mint. Leave it be.

**Dennis D** · 06-24-2023, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Max405

Dennis, the problem with diy solutions is, we would possibly be fixing a problem with an even bigger problem.
If you are using a solution that can penetrate the lacquer and eliminate the staining, I can’t imagine that solution not making the lacquer itself go bye-bye. Whenever I’ve seen “fixes” you can usually still see the problem, only just slightly less of it.
The thing is, luckily, the thing that makes this happen to lacquer is the same exact thing that makes it fixable. It is a porous material that is susceptible to stains. But, You can scrape off the old lacquer (and perhaps some binding) and spray new lacquer on. And the new lacquer will bond with the old lacquer. Resurface the lacquer and the repair will be perfect.
The problem with this is, most of the time repair shops require you leaving your much wanted guitar in their shop, sometimes for months on end - and I for one don’t have the patience or desire to do that.
So, I have an L5 that is LOADED with these stains and believe it or not, it is still my favorite guitar that I’ve ever owned.
It’s my baby. Age spots and all.
JD

And hello and thanks Joe and glad you're enjoying that guitar !

Dennis