Is Goof-Off safe to use?
 

Since Naptha is no longer available in Sonoma county CA, I'm looking for an alternative to use as a pickguard adhesive remover. Has anyone used Goof-Off on their guitar with a lacquer finish? Other alternatives?

Goof off takes off everything doesn't it? I would think it would ruin the finish? Curious to see other answers. I'm not positive.

^That was my concern. Pretty soon everything is going to be outlawed in CA. It's getting rediculous.

I used Goo Gone (very tiny amount) on my Taylor GS mini with no problems. But like they say in vegas, "past performance is no indication of future success..."

I just put a tiny bit on a paper towel and rubbed it on, and then wiped it off very quickly with a soft microfiber.

You can use plain lighter fluid if you can still get that...

Mineral spirits works about the same as naptha, is non-flammable, won't harm finish, and is available at hardware stores, Walmart, etc.

wow, just wow. :(

Norm, if naptha has been banned, has lighter fluid been banned along with it?

http://www.cbdistributorsinc.com/ima...onol-Fluid.gif

From what I understand, Ronsonol lighter fluid is simply a slightly weaker solution of naptha than the stuff that's labeled as naptha. A plastic squeeze bottle of that is an item that you should be able to buy wherever cigarettes are sold.

One bottle should last you for years and years, so long as you're not also using it to refill a heavily used Zippo lighter! And even though it's somewhat weaker than the stuff that comes labeled as naptha, it works perfectly well to remove pickguard adhesive. It's all I've ever used.

If you can no longer buy lighter fluid in Sonoma County, the next time you visit San Francisco pick up a bottle. So long as you're not going to go around squirting it on Sonoma County law enforcement officials, I suspect your chances of getting busted for having it are probably pretty minimal....

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

Hi Norm,
I wouldn't risk goof-off on nitro. As others have said, lighter fluid is your friend. I find that it's hard to get in my world because apparently my fellow hillbillies use it to burn brain cells.

Next road trip, pick up a bottle. It will last a lifetime if pick guard demolition.

Also banned.

After I mentioned that my impression was that lighter fluid was a weaker solution of naptha than the stuff labeled as such, Larry wrote:

Oh, okay, good to know. Thanks.


Yes, I'm married, as well, and can just imagine my own wife's reaction if I were to do that.....;)

A few months ago I read a long article about the lengthy, difficult restoraion of some old paintings, and the restorer mentioned that the "mild enzyme solution" he used to clean the surface of the paint was, in fact, saliva. So if art professionals like that guy use spit to clean delicate surfaces, I guess it's okay for guitar players to do that, too!

So long as our wives aren't in the room at the time....


Wade Hampton Miller


PS: Norm - if Ronsonol is illegal in Sonoma County, smuggle in a bottle from elsewhere.

If you look at the label in the image, you'll see that it contains heptane - Ronson Lighter Fluid is not pure naptha. I'd call that dilute.

I'm very proud to live in a state where finances are sometimes not the bottom line, but quality of life is. If that stuff is banned in Cali, it should've been banned long ago and everywhere in the U.S. Not our fault that some folks just don't get that the good life is not pork-barrel politics.

If there are fewer molecules of naptha per unit volume, how is it not dilution?

Not all of CA as far as I know. Just Sonoma county. CA is also the only state I know of where pigeons are a protected species. Off topic yes, but to protect an overpopulated disease spreading species of bird I find totally ridiculous. Not trying to start an argument I just find some of CA's regulations silly.

Exactly what I would expect in the state where a county banned McDonald's Happy Meals. I wonder if it's also banned in NYC where you can't get a 32 oz Big Gulp...

Jim

DO NOT US GOOF OFF!!

This is coming for a professional painter of 12 years. That stuff will eat your finish like nobodies business!

A California county actually banned McDonald's happy meals? Wow - and I sometimes fear that no progress is being made in food reform - - -

McDonalds should also be banned. So now that everyone here understands where I'm coming from, know that I consider my views to be those of a future man.

NEVER USE GOOF-OFF! Don't ask me how I know :mad:

Goo-B-Gone did not damage my Martins. But these days I stick with naptha.

hmm... nevermind

I'd say Goo-Gone is safe to use.
Wade notice that Ronson was made in Canada. Just like the Brasso of old, that the ammonia was taken out. Just not as good anymore because of US regulations.
Dan

This is sarcasm, right? Natpha is just straight hydrocarbon. Are you going to ban kerosene next? #2 fuel oil? Gasoline? Natural gas? Propane?

I've used naptha on both catalyzed urethane finishes and nitrocellulose lacquer with excellent results and no damage. I've also used it on ebony and rosewood fingerboards to remove finger "gunk". If you do use it, just remember to let the rag fully dry in an open space away from flames or sparks.

Oh, and definitely do not use Goof-off on guitars!

Goo Gone has worked for me. But I'm not a future man, so don't pay me any mind!

Naphtha is actually a class of light petroleum distillates. It can vary slightly from one manufacturer to another. As far as I know, all brands liquid lighter fluid are functionally "naphtha" even though some may have other components. "White gas" for camp stoves and lanterns is functionally equivalent as well.

I'm a mechanical engineer, not a chemist, so close enough for practical purposes is as deep as my knowledge goes on this subject. However, I've never damaged a lacquer finish with any of the products mentioned above.

Goof Off contains acetone, which will destroy that finish. Think of it as paint remover.

Ronsonol contains naphtha and other petroleum distillates and is fine to use on nitrocellulose or poly or any other surface. Fast, efficient, evaporates quickly, and leaves surfaces squeaky clean. Like any such product, keep away from flames and use in a well ventilated space - all of this stuff is carcinogenic.

When I replaced my very old bottle of Ronsonol last year, I noticed it no longer had the words "Contains Naphtha" on the label. Before using the new stuff, I discovered that in 2010 Zippo had purchased Ronsonol and was filling the yellow Ronsonol bottles with its Zippo lighter fluid. According to the MSDS, it is almost identical to the original formula. Looks, smells, and behaves the same, and I've been using it without ill effect for more than a year.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/k...nsonolMSDS.jpg

Goo Gone is also safe to use - I just don't like its gooey feel to the touch.