Official Luthiers Forum!

I finished building my first acoustic about a year ago and I'm pretty sure I used too much sanding sealer under my nitro.
The finish scratches very easily and it even flakes off in some areas if scratched just right.

I love playing it and I think it sounds great. Despite my finishing woes (pore filling was not fun either) I enjoy it.

My question is - maybe one day I will refinish it, but is it okay as is? Am I harming anything by leaving it finished with an abundance of sanding sealer under the nitro? I have no desire to strip it and redo it anytime soon.

Thanks!!!

Too much sanding sealer will cause adhesion issues and allow the finish to scratch off more easily, but finishes are mostly applied to improve the appearance of the wood. They allow dirt to be more easily removed from the finished surface and can high light the grain and figure of the wood, but don't really add significant toughness to the surface.
Play it and enjoy it and after you build a few more, if you are so inclined, you can easily strip nitro with lacquer thinner and apply a new finish.
And remember - it is a rare guitar that lives it's life with an unblemished finish.