Members elsupermanny14 Posted March 11, 2010 Members Share Posted March 11, 2010 What are the differences between polyurethane and urethane finishes? I know that polyurethane comes on cheaper guitars and is more of like a plastic looking shell whereas urethans actually looks like paint on a guitar. That's all I know or at least I think I know. I need some more education on this subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted March 11, 2010 Members Share Posted March 11, 2010 Same thing. Urethane is shorthand for polyurethane in guitar world, though technically urethane is ethyl carbamate..which you may find trace elements of in food and beverages...yum Though there are infinite recipes mixes of polyurethane. And many cheaper builds now get polyester finishes. But polyurethane is not just for cheap guitars. Polyurethane has be the de facto standard on Fenders since planned obsolesce took nitrocellulose and acrylic lacquers out of the main stream car finishing market in 1967. PRS used poly for everything until they introduced their nitro line a couple of years ago. G&L all poly. Several boutique makers still use poly. Polyurethane allows a higher gloss, better color retention and a more durable finish over nitrocellulose lacquer. Poly can be sprayed thin like nitro and being a plastic, it is porous and does "breathe." But guitar companies take advantage of the ability to quick, heavy spray guitars and buff them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EADGBE Posted March 11, 2010 Members Share Posted March 11, 2010 Dead wood doesn't need to breathe. Poly comes on all kinds of guitars. Even very expensive ones. I like it because it protects the wood very well. And it's not quite as toxic as nitrocellulose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted March 11, 2010 Members Share Posted March 11, 2010 most Fender Custom Shop Signature guitars have a poly neck and nitro body Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members elsupermanny14 Posted March 11, 2010 Author Members Share Posted March 11, 2010 So then what's the difference between the poly finish on an MIM Strat versus the one on an MIA Strat? Is just the thickness and amount they spray on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted March 11, 2010 Members Share Posted March 11, 2010 So then what's the difference between the poly finish on an MIM Strat versus the one on an MIA Strat? Is just the thickness and amount they spray on it? Depending on model, there isn't any difference besides who sprays it and where. The polyurethane is the same and the finish quality may be too. I think some lower end Mexican models use polyester, I would confirm this but Fender's new website is being so slow it's useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Slave2TheAudio Posted March 11, 2010 Members Share Posted March 11, 2010 one's a polymer and one's a monomer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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