Fingernail wear

artiebear · May 2020

ToneControl said:

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?

You probable are supposed to, but TBH I usually just file it back as far as I can, rough it up then after priming , just apply over the top for the sake of speed. It still holds firmly and does the job The same applies to when it starts to grow out, leaving an obvious ridge to the natural nail. I just file that area flat to blend into the nail then apply over that area and onto the existing acrylic, just making sure that it doesn't get too thick ( that being said, I used to get asked by the girl who used to do them for me how thick I wanted them and used to ask her to make them like hammers on the end of each finger ). As long as there is enough acrylic to make each nail rigid, that is probably enough.

DartmoorHedgehog · May 2020

Interesting thread. I always play with nails, even on electric in a punk/quite heavy at times band. I do a fair bit of finger-picking in some of our songs, alternating with strumming, and just don't get on with using a pick, but the heavy strumming was wearing my nail down pretty badly. For the last five years or so I've been painting the index and middle finger nails on my right hand with superglue and it works fine and hasn't caused me any problems. It wears through after a few hours heavy playing, but can be replaced easily and cleans off with acetone. Doesn't look too weird either (says a bloke with long nails on one hand).

On times when I've broken a nail and needed to play a gig I've superglued a false nail on, or at a push just a piece of plastic bottle cut to shape - stayed on fine.

artiebear · May 2020

DartmoorHedgehog said:

Interesting thread. I always play with nails, even on electric in a punk/quite heavy at times band. I do a fair bit of finger-picking in some of our songs, alternating with strumming, and just don't get on with using a pick, but the heavy strumming was wearing my nail down pretty badly. For the last five years or so I've been painting the index and middle finger nails on my right hand with superglue and it works fine and hasn't caused me any problems. It wears through after a few hours heavy playing, but can be replaced easily and cleans off with acetone. Doesn't look too weird either (says a bloke with long nails on one hand).

On times when I've broken a nail and needed to play a gig I've superglued a false nail on, or at a push just a piece of plastic bottle cut to shape - stayed on fine.

I know a few guys who go this route. Whenever I go near superglue it always ends up all over my hands, bet I still couldn't get it just onto the nail !

malcolmkindness · May 2020

May I just say a word of caution. I used professional salon applied acrylic nails for a couple of years and they were great. BUT all that filing and application of primers, dryers etc. will damage your natural nails and it may take quite a while for them to recover. Eighteen months after I stopped using the acrylics my nails are still quite weak.

DartmoorHedgehog · May 2020

malcolmkindness said:

May I just say a word of caution. I used professional salon applied acrylic nails for a couple of years and they were great. BUT all that filing and application of primers, dryers etc. will damage your natural nails and it may take quite a while for them to recover. Eighteen months after I stopped using the acrylics my nails are still quite weak.

I've not noticed any ill effects from using superglue on my nails (it's been five or more years now), but my nails are naturally quite thick and strong so perhaps I get away with it more than some people would.

DartmoorHedgehog · May 2020

artiebear said:

I know a few guys who go this route. Whenever I go near superglue it always ends up all over my hands, bet I still couldn't get it just onto the nail !

I use thin superglue and put a drop in the middle of my nail, then spread it out with a bit of paper - I've got quite good at it now, so it just flows over the nail surface and not (usually) on the skin. Takes a few minutes to dry but ends up just like clear nail varnish, only thicker and stronger.

artiebear · May 2020

malcolmkindness said:

May I just say a word of caution. I used professional salon applied acrylic nails for a couple of years and they were great. BUT all that filing and application of primers, dryers etc. will damage your natural nails and it may take quite a while for them to recover. Eighteen months after I stopped using the acrylics my nails are still quite weak.

I took a break sometime back, maybe will do again soon when I can guarantee a period of less acoustic work. You are right in what you say. In my case, my nails started to get weak anyway about 12 years ago, I was eventually diagnosed with fairly serious thyroid issues which it turns out, weakens nails.
The last time I took a break, it was fine as I had approx 12 months of playing on the finger pad, which I had previously done year in year out for around 30 years, therefore, my fingers are pretty hardened anyway. In terms of playing keys, bass and electric guitar (especially without a pick) it was great as there is nothing to get in the way, particularly bass where, with nails I have to work hard on technique to avoid nail contact on the strings. While it was good in it's own way, I kept picking up guitars like my Sobell and realising that there was a whole world of power and tone that I could not access without acrylics or something similar, so back to it I went.

DartmoorHedgehog said:

artiebear said:

I know a few guys who go this route. Whenever I go near superglue it always ends up all over my hands, bet I still couldn't get it just onto the nail !

I use thin superglue and put a drop in the middle of my nail, then spread it out with a bit of paper - I've got quite good at it now, so it just flows over the nail surface and not (usually) on the skin. Takes a few minutes to dry but ends up just like clear nail varnish, only thicker and stronger.

That sound great, so a very similar technique to acrylic but a process that needs to be done quickly before the glue sets ?

DartmoorHedgehog · May 2020

artiebear said:

DartmoorHedgehog said:

I use thin superglue and put a drop in the middle of my nail, then spread it out with a bit of paper - I've got quite good at it now, so it just flows over the nail surface and not (usually) on the skin. Takes a few minutes to dry but ends up just like clear nail varnish, only thicker and stronger.

That sound great, so a very similar technique to acrylic but a process that needs to be done quickly before the glue sets ?

It doesn't really have to be that quick - it takes a few minutes to dry when it's spread quite thickly (hard to explain, but it's almost "flowed" over the nail rather than painted). In fact, when I've left it to the last minute as I often seem to, I've often been carrying kit out to the car trying to avoid using those fingers - in those situations I'd be glad if it dried a bit faster!

artiebear · May 2020

@DartmoorHedgehog I know what you mean about last minute. I have had some strange looks for folk seeing me backstage flapping my hand about, desperately trying to dry an emergency application of gunk. I have also discovered that it is not worth trying to explain to non guitar players, or worse a non musician

malcolmkindness · May 2020

DartmoorHedgehog said:

artiebear said:

I know a few guys who go this route. Whenever I go near superglue it always ends up all over my hands, bet I still couldn't get it just onto the nail !

I use thin superglue and put a drop in the middle of my nail, then spread it out with a bit of paper - I've got quite good at it now, so it just flows over the nail surface and not (usually) on the skin. Takes a few minutes to dry but ends up just like clear nail varnish, only thicker and stronger.

I might try that, it seems much less extreme than the all over acrylics.
You have also reminded me that Pierre Bensusan used to recommend super glue and baking soda, I don't know if he still uses this method.

TrevinDevon · May 2020

After reading this thread I bought something called Nunale nail strengthening cream for less than a fiver off ebay. I've been using it for a week or so and it seems to be working since my nails are in need of filing now instead of just being worn away, and no splits.

ToneControl · July 2020

@artiebear ;

First attempt was applied by my daughter. Very lumpy, flaked off pretty quickly, had to sand it down loads
I did a second coat that was smoother but not very strong, only lasted a few days
I decided to clean that off and leave it a bit

Recently I noticed that the nails were thinner and weaker than before, I assume because of all the sanding down

Finally I managed to do better yesterday, I had watched a couple of the youtube videos
I concluded that I needed to use more of the liquid

So now I have proper, smooth, great big thick acrylic layers

One thing I have noticed is that the tone I am getting is less bright, which is great on my brighter guitars, but I will need to use 80/20 strings on my favourite warmer guitar

I tested the effect against 2 plectrums, one thick, one medium, and with this thickness of nail, I am definitely getting more like the thick plectrum tone, which makes sense

I hope these nails don't flake, but they are nice and thick now

artiebear · July 2020

ToneControl said:

@artiebear ;

First attempt was applied by my daughter. Very lumpy, flaked off pretty quickly, had to sand it down loads
I did a second coat that was smoother but not very strong, only lasted a few days
I decided to clean that off and leave it a bit

Recently I noticed that the nails were thinner and weaker than before, I assume because of all the sanding down

Finally I managed to do better yesterday, I had watched a couple of the youtube videos
I concluded that I needed to use more of the liquid

So now I have proper, smooth, great big thick acrylic layers

One thing I have noticed is that the tone I am getting is less bright, which is great on my brighter guitars, but I will need to use 80/20 strings on my favourite warmer guitar

I tested the effect against 2 plectrums, one thick, one medium, and with this thickness of nail, I am definitely getting more like the thick plectrum tone, which makes sense

I hope these nails don't flake, but they are nice and thick now

I find that that the tone of my acrylics ( if applied right ) do sound close to my Jim Dunlop thumb picks, which for me is a good thing as I cross pick a lot and don't want an inconsistency between the two. Pay careful attention to the string side of the application, I have found that making sure there isn't too much build up there helps to get a clearer tone. If there is too much it can create an issue where the string is actually sliding over the build up in the picking action rather than creating a clear attack, similar to using a 2mm pick against a 1mm.

My issues are usually the other way, with the tone getting brighter and thinner as I wear the acrylic down on the underside.

ToneControl · July 2020

@artiebear ;
for now I have removed it from all but thumb and index finger - most of my guitars were sounding very dull, and I remembered those 2 were the thinnest nails
Seems to be working with this combination so far - I mostly use the other fingers for the top 3 strings
May try to put a thinner layer on the other nails next time

artiebear · July 2020

I used to tour with a guy who only ever did the index finger for acoustic stuff.. It leads you down a veritable rabbit hole of analysis as to how you strike the strings and how you use each finger. I didn't realise how much I cross picked until a nail broke on me..

ToneControl · July 2020

Also the surface of the nail drags a bit when strumming, does polishing it reduce that? it feels like the string is sticking to the nail instead of gliding past

artiebear · July 2020

ToneControl said:

Also the surface of the nail drags a bit when strumming, does polishing it reduce that? it feels like the string is sticking to the nail instead of gliding past

Definitely do so if it is dragging. I tend to just use a very fine grade file across the hail to smooth out any ridges or uneven areas.

ToneControl · July 2020

This morning I have filed the acrylic on the index finger nail into more of a bevelled shape, so that it gets thinner closer to the nail edge, this seems to have helped the tone when plucking

I will polish it later to see if I can reduce the drag

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Fingernail wear

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