Fingernail wear

Snags · March 2020

I mostly play with a pick, but use fingers for a few songs, particularly on acoustic.

Whenever I do a lot of finger-picking, particularly if it involves some strumming as well, I find the nail on my index finger gets worn down really quickly, at a rather jaunty angle.

Short of having acrylics put on by a beautician every couple of weeks (not worth it for the amount I do, and also not possible right now) are there any other cunning solutions, or even a technique change?

stickyfiddle · March 2020

Finger- and/or thumb-picks?

Strangefan · March 2020

I pop a bit of super glue on, works a treat

Snags · March 2020

I've always assumed that I would make a hash of things with finger-picks, but I could give it a go. Up my Freddie Krueger game.

Super glue is the kind of bodge that I couldn't possibly come un-stuck with (ba-dum), I'll give that a go until Mrs Snags catches me and complains. Despite it being developed to seal wounds she gets the right hump when I use it for things like this.

Jalapeno · March 2020

I get that when I do a Gypsy Jazz gig with a plectrum - the trailing corner of my index fingernail wears a lot.

Clear nail polish, a bit less drastic than superglue - unless you're a goth, having polished nails looks a bit odd for a bloke, but in these days I suppose it's not so much of an issue

smoore · March 2020

Neem oil every night, and clear nail varnish as mentioned earlier.

I focussed on classical and flamenco for a few years, by doing the above I had no problems.

Now I am playing more electric again with plectrum, and have stopped doing the above, my nails are pathetic!

Roland · March 2020

Jalapeno said:

I get that when I do a Gypsy Jazz gig with a plectrum - the trailing corner of my index fingernail wears a lot.

I get that, but more on my third finger nail.

smoore said:

... clear nail varnish

I’ve been using Sally Hansen nail hardener on and off for years. The wear has got worse as I’ve got older. The pharmacist told me it’s calcium deficiency from being dairy intolerant.

Snags · March 2020

Thanks all. I have no problems with using nail varnish, so I'll try that and the Neem stuff.

Finger picks: lots out there, any recommendations as a taster (i.e. not too heavy an investment if I turn out to find them impossible)?

Revolting1 · March 2020

I cant get on with fingerpicks but I've found eating gelatine as a diet supplement helps a lot,

without it my ring fingernail wears much faster and tends to split .

Using extra thick (viscous) superglue works well for me too.

GTC · March 2020

To build up nail strength, Barielle Nail Strengthener has been a wonder product for me (can be found on Amazon). However, if a nail split does occur then superglue is effective whilst it is growing out. I've also used the Orly Nail Repair kit effectively - which is basically Superglue and nail repair resin powder.

Regarding fingerpicks - see my earlier post on Alaska picks.

artiebear · March 2020

You don't need to go the whole hog with nail bar acrylic nails to get the benefit of the strength they bring. A tub of acrylic powder, acrylic liquid and a nail brush allows you to just put a coating over the very tip of the nail. It sets rock hard in 15 mins and you can buff it and file it. Way less messy that superglue, lasts until it grows out or can be removed with acrylic brush cleaner. I buy supplies every 18 months or so and can do the whole job in 20 mins including the acrylic drying hard ( I have even done it in an emergency just before going on stage ). Done sparingly and keeping your nails normal length you can't see it, but you have a massive boost in volume and consistency. As well as acoustic players, it has become quite the thing amongst the Nashville guitar players who play either pick and fingers or thumb pick and fingers on electric. There are a few youtube demos to show you the DIY process as well as what you need.

Revolting1 · March 2020

@artiebear

Could you let us know which brands have worked for you please.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack.

artiebear · March 2020

Revolting1 said:

@artiebear
Could you let us know which brands have worked for you please.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack.

I just get the stuff from amazon, the one one the left is a primer which helps acrylic stick (I have had the same bottle for about 4 years and still am nowhere near running out. The rest are all readily available on Amazon. The other things to get are good graphite based files ,really cheap for a pack of ten (they do wear out pretty quickly and a decent brush ( Amazon again ).

Primer brand TNBL
Liquid brand The Edge
Powder brand Had a few, they all seem to do the same job
Brush cleaner Acrylux

TBH i suspect that any brand would do the job for the sake of guitar nails.

The hardest part was learning to be accurate getting the liquid and powder onto the brush then applying it with my left hand. That being said, you can either wipe off and start again or just file away any excess.

<a href="https://imgur.com/nKm4HP9"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/nKm4HP9.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Roland · March 2020

@artiebear’s image didn’t work for me.

ToneControl · April 2020

GTC said:

To build up nail strength, Barielle Nail Strengthener has been a wonder product for me (can be found on Amazon). However, if a nail split does occur then superglue is effective whilst it is growing out. I've also used the Orly Nail Repair kit effectively - which is basically Superglue and nail repair resin powder.

Regarding fingerpicks - see my earlier post on Alaska picks.

+1 for Barielle, noticeable difference in 3-4 days!!

Snags · April 2020

Some Alaska picks and Barielle arrived today. Unfortunately I took the sizing from the Alaska site, and it didn't tally with the sizing from Amazon so I'll be ordering some more from Strings Direct.

GTC · April 2020

Snags said:

Some Alaska picks and Barielle arrived today. Unfortunately I took the sizing from the Alaska site, and it didn't tally with the sizing from Amazon so I'll be ordering some more from Strings Direct.

I got mine from Strings direct. I ordered a variety of sizes to be sure - and so I could safely mess around experimenting with trimming them to size (the instructions to do so are on the Alaska website)

SteveF · April 2020

Snags said:

Some Alaska picks and Barielle arrived today. Unfortunately I took the sizing from the Alaska site, and it didn't tally with the sizing from Amazon so I'll be ordering some more from Strings Direct.

Is that the braille strengthening cream or the brush on polish? Did you find one that wasn't hi-gloss?

Snags · April 2020

@SteveF the strengthening cream. I'm sufficiently secure in my sexuality that I'd cope with high gloss if I get to the polish stage

SteveF · April 2020

Snags said:

@SteveF the strengthening cream. I'm sufficiently secure in my sexuality that I'd cope with high gloss if I get to the polish stage

Haha, me too, but would still prefer matte if it's a thing.

Keep us posted with how you get on with the cream.

Snags · April 2020

Initial update at around two weeks in.

I've been using the Barielle cream twice a day (mostly - there's the odd night/morning I've forgotten). Only using it on my right hand, because i still bite my nails on my left hand as a bad habit that doesn't matter for fretting.

Completely subjective and non-scientific results to date:

the nails on my right hand feel thicker/more substantial than the ones on my left when you just poke/prod them with the other hand. They may always have done so, not something I used to check, and it may in part be down to having longer and better maintained nails on my right hand anyway, but ...
I'm still, unsurprisingly, getting some wear, particularly on my index finger, when strumming with nails instead of pick but I've been playing without pick a lot, lot more than normal, and the wear is a lot, lot less
so far I haven't had one of my dread "nail decapitation splits", where a small nick or fault develops at the base of the white bit and then the whole white part of the nail just tears off

The last two might just be coincidence, or they might be because I'm more aware of my nails because of faffing with them twice a day, so am putting more effort into looking after them, and getting the glass file out and keeping them at a more appropriate length (I have a tendency to let them get too long, really, which is when the tearing occurs), or it might actually be the cream.

So right now jury's out as to whether it's coincidence, a side-effect of generally improved maintenance, or an actual change in the strength of the nail. But early indications are good either way, and it's a pretty cheap investment, even if the benefits are from seconday causes (which they may not be).

fishfingers · April 2020

You could try trimming the nails completely and just playing with the flesh. Voulume will be low, at first, but as you build up callus this will improve over a couple of weeks or so. There are several notable fingerstyle players who are flesh only. Listen to Woody Mann's tone as an example

ToneControl · May 2020

artiebear said:

You don't need to go the whole hog with nail bar acrylic nails to get the benefit of the strength they bring. A tub of acrylic powder, acrylic liquid and a nail brush allows you to just put a coating over the very tip of the nail. It sets rock hard in 15 mins and you can buff it and file it. Way less messy that superglue, lasts until it grows out or can be removed with acrylic brush cleaner. I buy supplies every 18 months or so and can do the whole job in 20 mins including the acrylic drying hard ( I have even done it in an emergency just before going on stage ). Done sparingly and keeping your nails normal length you can't see it, but you have a massive boost in volume and consistency. As well as acoustic players, it has become quite the thing amongst the Nashville guitar players who play either pick and fingers or thumb pick and fingers on electric. There are a few youtube demos to show you the DIY process as well as what you need.

can you please link to a video that shows what you do?
I found lots about full-on fake nails

GTC · May 2020

artiebear said:

You don't need to go the whole hog with nail bar acrylic nails to get the benefit of the strength they bring. A tub of acrylic powder, acrylic liquid and a nail brush allows you to just put a coating over the very tip of the nail. It sets rock hard in 15 mins and you can buff it and file it. Way less messy that superglue, lasts until it grows out or can be removed with acrylic brush cleaner. I buy supplies every 18 months or so and can do the whole job in 20 mins including the acrylic drying hard ( I have even done it in an emergency just before going on stage ). Done sparingly and keeping your nails normal length you can't see it, but you have a massive boost in volume and consistency. As well as acoustic players, it has become quite the thing amongst the Nashville guitar players who play either pick and fingers or thumb pick and fingers on electric. There are a few youtube demos to show you the DIY process as well as what you need.

This is essentially what I have done for an emergency repair with Orly nail rescue. You just brush the area in question (e.g. fingertip) with the nail glue provided, dip the finger in the pot of acrylic powder, shake / blow off the excess and file / buff off. It doesn't look too pretty but it is simple and fast.

It is most probably cheaper to buy the ingredients individually and it would work just as well.

artiebear · May 2020

ToneControl said:

artiebear said:

You don't need to go the whole hog with nail bar acrylic nails to get the benefit of the strength they bring. A tub of acrylic powder, acrylic liquid and a nail brush allows you to just put a coating over the very tip of the nail. It sets rock hard in 15 mins and you can buff it and file it. Way less messy that superglue, lasts until it grows out or can be removed with acrylic brush cleaner. I buy supplies every 18 months or so and can do the whole job in 20 mins including the acrylic drying hard ( I have even done it in an emergency just before going on stage ). Done sparingly and keeping your nails normal length you can't see it, but you have a massive boost in volume and consistency. As well as acoustic players, it has become quite the thing amongst the Nashville guitar players who play either pick and fingers or thumb pick and fingers on electric. There are a few youtube demos to show you the DIY process as well as what you need.

can you please link to a video that shows what you do?
I found lots about full-on fake nails

I would have to dig around to find them now, I haven't looked at anything on line for a long time. I can take you through the basic process in steps. You can vary how many nails you treat according to your style.

1) ensure that your nail is absolutely clean

2) rough up the nail with a heavy grade file ( you need this for the acrylic to to stick)

3) apply nail primer, this is a sticky substance that brushes on and forms a clean base layer for the acrylic, let it dry for a few minutes.

4) take a fine nail brush ( worth getting a decent one ) dip it into the acrylic liquid (wipe off the excess, you don't want it dripping ) then put it into the acrylic powder, just getting a small blob to adhere to the brush.

5) roll the accumulated gel off the brush onto the middle of the nail ( this takes a bit of getting used to as it remains quite sloppy at first.

6) when you have a small blob on the middle of the nail, use the brush very gently and slowly to gradually roll the gel upwards and outwards to the nail tip. Don't worry if it slops over the edge of the nail, it is still liquid enough to wipe off or with a purpose made salon brush you can collect any excess on the handle end and wipe off.

7) once you have a coating across the upper part of the nail ( you do not need to coat down to the base of the nail ( in fact this is problematical because as it grows out you will leave an unpleasant ridge at the end of the acrylic which can catch on the string ) you should let it dry until it feels hard ( about 10/15 mins ). At that point you can shape the nail with files and either buff smooth the nail with a fine file are with a nail block. Also file the underside of the nail smooth as ridges of acrylic can build up and set causing catch points for the strings.

8) wipe down the brush and clean it in acrylic brush cleaner ( keep the brush in good condition or it becomes impossible to work with )

The two hardest parts to master at first are 1} controlling the brush with your left hand while applying to your right and 2) getting the shape you want while filing again with your left hand. You get better at this every time to reapply, or so the theory goes, I still make a mess every now and then and have to restart.

At first it is pretty much trial and error ( it's easy to wipe off any disasters as you go and start again, unlike superglue ) and a good soaking in the acrylic brush cleaner will loosen an acrylic enough to peel it off should you so wish.

The biggest difference between this quick and easy way and the salon way is that they are typically glueing a plastic nail on then applying the rest of the procedure. That's more about nail length and aesthetics, which hardly apply here.

As you get more used to working the gel with the brush, it is quite easy to extend your own nail length by working the gel over the tip and slowly allowing an overhang to set , which once hard can be shaped. I learned this from the days when I used to get my nails done by a professional. She did not bother with plastic underneath but could make the acrylic any length just by coaxing the gel with the brush.

If you have enough good nail of your own, you don't need to extend the nail, just reinforce it.

Using the above techniques, I can make mine last for approx 3 weeks, before I need to sit down and sort them. Every so often one might start to separate from the nail, at that point it is a quick repair to either file away the breakage and apply a small dot of acrylic into the gap, or just peel the acrylic off and apply a fresh coating.

The only pain with acrylics is that you have to work hard not get get oil, mud etc under the edges because it is near on impossible to clean out. Again it's easier to rip the thing off and redo.

I've been using them now for around 10/11 years ( doing them myself for the last 8 ), and love them for the way they open up techniques, such as frailing and percussive attack, not to mention how much more I can get out of an acoustic guitar in conjunction with a thumb pick. I tried picks but I hate the sense of drag as the pick hits the string and the slight lag in control.

In the meantime I will try to remember the name of one of the guys who showed this process on Youtube.

Hope that's helpful in some way

ToneControl · May 2020

artiebear said:

In the meantime I will try to remember the name of one of the guys who showed this process on Youtube.

Hope that's helpful in some way

Excellent thanks, will order today

Snags · May 2020

Further update on the cream stuff, another month on:

- still mostly using it once at bedtime and once in the morning, but some days forget one or the other

- nails are definitely thicker and stronger and don't wear down anything like as much

- have been playing with nails a lot more than usual

- no awkward angled wear on my index finger like I used to get

- only once did I start to get a bit of a snag on one nail when I'd let it grow a bit too much. Filed it out gently and it's been fine; in the past the act of filing would probably have torn the nail tip off at that point

So I'm calling a success, for my purposes, on the Barielle stuff.

ToneControl · May 2020

ToneControl said:

artiebear said:

In the meantime I will try to remember the name of one of the guys who showed this process on Youtube.

Hope that's helpful in some way

Excellent thanks, will order today

I now have everything except the brush cleaner, which should arrive soon
Aparrently you can use the liquid as brush cleaner

I got my daughter to put some on last night, I think she was using too little liquid, it is a bit lumpy, I've had to sand off some lumps. Seems impressive, but needs redoing.

Do you clean it off with acetone before you redo it?

artiebear · May 2020

ToneControl said:

ToneControl said:

artiebear said:

In the meantime I will try to remember the name of one of the guys who showed this process on Youtube.

Hope that's helpful in some way

Excellent thanks, will order today

I now have everything except the brush cleaner, which should arrive soon
Aparrently you can use the liquid as brush cleaner

I got my daughter to put some on last night, I think she was using too little liquid, it is a bit lumpy, I've had to sand off some lumps. Seems impressive, but needs redoing.

Do you clean it off with acetone before you redo it?

If it's still soft, just wipe / peel it off, and then for best results rough up the nail again, prime and go again. Don't worry if you end up with an uneven surface or lumps. Just let it dry hard and then use a file to take off any excess and shape it. Hope it works for you as it does for me .

artiebear · May 2020

How are you getting on with it @ToneControl ? takes a bit of practise, but worth it for the results.

ToneControl · May 2020

artiebear said:

How are you getting on with it @ToneControl ? takes a bit of practise, but worth it for the results.

brush cleaner arrived today, I was waiting for that to have second attempt
do I strip all the existing acylic off before starting again? How is that best done? acetone?

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