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I put a fine mist of water on the top. Slowly "roll" the material on and then burnish the heck out of it to release the air bubbles. The water acts as a buffer between the plastic and the top allowing the air to escape. If you just roll it on, there will be no getting the air bubbles out shy of popping them with a pin.

Also, while the paper backing is still in place, lay the pickguard in it's exact location, then put a strip of masking tape along the longest edge, to act as a "hinge". Then peel off the backing, and as you lower the guard back into place the tape will keep the guard in perfect register.

Wish I could claim this as an original idea. But like so many, it came from Frank Ford.

Bless you Frank,
Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Hesh, burnish is the fancy word for "rub the heck out of it with good pressure". I just use one of those blue paper towls (cause that's what I have around) folded up and vigorously rub it until there is no sign of air underneith. Pwoolson38677.5558449074

While we are on the subject of clear pick guards. A friend of mine says that while she was living in Holland some one she knew through Classical guitar club had this clear pick guard type stuff that was removable. Like those clear decals that the oil change place puts on your windshield after your oil has been changed to remind you about your next one. She wants to start learning Flamenco and doesn't want to scratch up her classical sound board.

Anyone heard of this stuff? Know where it can be found?

Thanks!

Yup! that's how I'd approach it.

I have a really big flat pencil eraser and "Squeege" the air and water out simultaneously, like I saw in a Stew Mac video featuring Frank Ford. (Thanks Frank..)

BTW, whatever you burnish or squeegee with, cafeful of scratches. NO paper towels, etcTerry Stowell38677.6321875

I think 12fret.com sells them. They stay on with electrostatic force.

Look here :Guitar Guard
Dave White38677.7215625

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Most sign companies should carry it too. I always try to look at alternatives to "lutherie" supply as that word usually tacks on a substancial fee.

Thanks Dave!

That's just what I was looking for.   

[QUOTE=Dave White] I think 12fret.com sells them. They stay on with electrostatic force.

Look here :Guitar Guard
[/QUOTE]

I don't know anything about these products, they might be fine.... but beware... some plastics will eat lacquer.

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

Good point, Brock. And I believe I've heard some horror stories about this very stuff. The problem arose from leaving the "removable" pickguard in place on a semi-permanent basis.
The recommendation is to take it back off after the playing session.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

This thread is so timely. Just last night I cut out a pick guard from a sheet
of the LMI stuff, taped it in position, peeled back half of the backing
paper and cut it off with scissors, wet the area with water, laid down the
sheet in perfect position, lifted the taped side, removed the remaining
backing paper and laid down the remaining half of the pick guard. So far,
so good. I squeegeed, rubbed, burnished and otherwise coaxed the
material down to try and eliminate any voids under the material. It was
peppered with small, random, ugly little spots where it just wouldn't stick
down. The material isn't very heavy either, and the edges didn't seem to
lie nice and flat all the way around the perimeter. In the light it looked
like there were frosted areas, some worse than others. Needless to say, I
removed it and cleaned the adhesive from the area. I have made a new
pick guard from some clear plastic I have used in the past. It is
substantially heavier than the LMI stuff. I will use a sheet of 3M transfer
adhesive that seems to work fairly well. I'm a little reluctant to use the
water again. I'm not crazy about having water flowing up against the
bridge and fret board extension. This pick guard butts against the bridge
at one end and the fretboard extension at the other end, so the water
really wants to collect right at the glue line. I hope tonight is more
successful than last.
Craig

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Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

Thanks Frank,
I didn't use any detergent in the water, so maybe that will help. Your
instructions seem pretty straight forward. I'll give everything another shot
tonight. Thanks again.
Craig

[QUOTE=Frank Ford] Installing Clear Self Stick Guards[/QUOTE]

We'll say it again, Bless you Frank.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com