Official Luthiers Forum!

Here's a question for you chemists out there:

Is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the plasticizers found in it reactive with lacquer finishes in the same way as "Vinyl" (the vinyl found most notoriously in guitar straps etc.) ??

Yes...Vinyl and PVC are synonomous for all intents and purposes. The harmful plasticisers are usually phthalates which not only will cause contact defects but they also outgas and can dull finishes.

Next summer, pay attention to the film you get on the inside of your windshield. It's a result of plasticizer outgassing from the vinyl films used in your dashboards. Same thing happens on guitars if they are in contact or close proximity with PVC.

If I use guitar stands that have that foam or vinyl padding, I always cover the stand with a towel before laying a guitar on the stand. The folks who continue to produce this crap should be shot!

Also...the shelf liners that you sometimes see used on workbenches...don't use them. They not only contain the aforementioned plasticizers but they are also molded using silicone release agents. Keep them away from your shop. Yes...I know...some have used them for years without problems...they're lucky, and it could be just a matter of time. Why risk it?

Rant over ...for now!

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

PVC itself is not harmful, and there are hard vinyl objects without plasticiser that do not harm a lacquer finish.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

So it is the flexible vinyls (with thus a  larger amount of phthalate plasticiz(s?)er) that are the culprits.................

Thanks guys for your responses!

Best.

[QUOTE=JJ Donohue] Yes...Vinyl and PVC are synonomous for all intents and purposes. The harmful plasticisers are usually phthalates which not only will cause contact defects but they also outgas and can dull finishes.

Next summer, pay attention to the film you get on the inside of your windshield. It's a result of plasticizer outgassing from the vinyl films used in your dashboards. Same thing happens on guitars if they are in contact or close proximity with PVC.

If I use guitar stands that have that foam or vinyl padding, I always cover the stand with a towel before laying a guitar on the stand. The folks who continue to produce this crap should be shot!

Also...the shelf liners that you sometimes see used on workbenches...don't use them. They not only contain the aforementioned plasticizers but they are also molded using silicone release agents. Keep them away from your shop. Yes...I know...some have used them for years without problems...they're lucky, and it could be just a matter of time. Why risk it?

Rant over ...for now! [/QUOTE]
Are we talking those ribbed type shelf Foam rubber kind. If so i have a few in the shop and I'll have to get rid of them

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