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Hesh, I use them often for sanding my unfinished guitars on. I never thought that the could damage the finish. I will be sure not to ever use them for that.

I mostly use an old bath towel over a carpet square when working on finished guitars.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I have some of this stuff on a few gluing cauls.I didn't have any leather or cork at the time. I will remove it to be safe.Thanks for the heads up Hesh.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

See Hesh, if you were still building in the bathroom, you'd have a steady supply of clean towels!

Like others I always use carpet and towel, after Mario's comments.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

One of the best things I have for holding the guitar is the cradle that we use for the Ribbeke binding operation. I secure the guitar in it and clamp the cradle to the bench. When I need to work on the sides, I use the guitar holder as designed by Sylvan. I don't ever like to have that slippery guitar gliding unsecured on a piece of carpet or towel.

As far as padding, I use towels or thick old non-quilted blankets.

Just one correction, Hesh...it's the polymer silicone...not the element silicon we're concerned with. You'd know the difference immediately if you ever saw a silicon implant!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I've told it before, but here's my story again. I was building a rosewood dred. and had sprayed the lacquer, level sanded, sprayed again, sanded to 1200 then hung the guitar to cure. A few days later I was in the shop and showed the guitar to a friend. Instead of hanging it back on the rack, I layed it on the rubber pad. My day job got busy, so it was a week or more before I went back to the shop. I started polishing the back, and noticed the pattern of the pad in the finish. I polished more, and it was still there. Next I wet sanded it again and repolished...still there. Next I sprayed another coat of lacquer...Still there. I sprayed straight thinner, then another coat of lacquer...Still there. Finally I sanded it back to bare wood and beyond then refinished the back.These pads are handy, but have no place in my shop.

Al

I have always used those kind of pads.... never had a problem!!

hmmmm.....

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] From Bob's post it sounds like the silicon actually penetrates the wood to a degree and this shows up when finishing the guitar.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but wouldn't epoxy barrier keep this from getting into the finish?

I am not trying to disagree... I just want to understand so I don't have a problem. I do occassionally use these pads.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I use the radiused sanding dish in the go-bar deck and we had been laying the rubber mat over it for protection.

It didn't seem to affect african mahogany or padauk but we noticed it on an Indian rosewood dred that we are just finishing and also on the first of the OM twins also EIR. I guess it must react more with some woods than others.

Both of these guitars were unfinished and it left a nice pattern which took some considerable sanding to get out.

Cheers

Bob

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Bob Connor
Geelong, Australia

I've used these mats in the past and had the same result as Bob. After leaving a guitar on it overnight in the unfinished state it had the mat pattern all over the back. I was able to sand it off but it did take a little effort. Also had one do the same thing as Al's did, had to sand the finish back down and do it over.

The only thing I use them for now is liners in my metal tool box drawers.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

We don't need no stinkin' silicon pads

I have a green Bosch one that I thought would eventually stop leaving it's stinkin print , but alas ,,,no

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Brock and others...here's the issue with any elastomeric polymer. In order for an elastomer (soft, stretchy rubber or plastic) to be made soft and cushiony their formulae contain plasticizers. These plasticizers are usually oils, waxes and other low molecular weight polymers. Often, they are unstable and bleed from the cured compound for an undetermined period of time.

In addition, they are often molded or extruded. In order for them to be pulled from a mold without sticking to the mold or extrusion belt, release agents are sprayed onto those surfaces. These release agents are often SILICONE OIL!!! Silicone seems to stay around forever...even after repeated washings.

I wouldn't even use this stuff in a toolbox for fear that silicone will transfer to a chisel or saw blade.

Same thing holds for guitar holders that have that soft, cushiony rubber stuff. In that case, replace them with soft felt.

So that's the theory...Bob, Al and Dave seem to have confirmed the theory with practical experience...sounds like a good idea to relegate this stuff for lining kitchen cabinets and drawers

Caveat Emptor!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com