I have an early Bart Reiter banjo and the finish covering the inlay on the peg head is beginning to flake off in several places. There's also some general cracking in the finish of the peg head.Overall, this banjo is great condition so don't need to re-finish. But I do want to protect the inlay and the wood around it.
Thanks.
6 Comments |
 | jmoathout says:
2/3/2015 2:39:12 PM
I understand from John Balch that is normal for Reiters. I had a Whyte Laydie that had the same condition. It's generally not considered a defect, I think. You can search BHO for the topic. I don't know about how to protect it. I think the finish is nitro-cellulose.
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 | Banjer Joe says:
2/3/2015 3:00:10 PM
Thanks. I don't consider it a defect but want to keep it from getting worse. I have two BRs, one an early one and a much newer one.
Is a nitro-cellulose finish "renewable?"
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 | banjobart says:
2/3/2015 6:25:38 PM
From my website, first published 30 years ago:
"Your banjo is finished with nitrocellulose lacquer, the traditional choice. It is expected and normal for it to check and crack with the passage of time. Keeping it out of the light and in the case when not in use will delay the inevitable aging process."
I always thought a new banjo or guitar looked awful and much preferred the look of an antique. Everyone I knew and worked with had the same opinion. So, back then I thought it was a benefit of nitro lacquer that it would yellow, crack, chip and check within a few years. Tastes have changed today. I am sorry but there is nothing you can do short of a refinish job using a plastic or oil fish. My personal 30 and 40 year old Reiter banjos look almost new but I keep them in the case when not being played. It is the daylight that breaks down the nitro lacquer.
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| Banjer Joe says:
2/3/2015 7:37:05 PM
Bart,
Thank you for that advice! I have kept this banjo out of the case and ready to pick up whenever the picking urge hits me. But it is not ever been in sunshine except when it was being played its original owner at shows.
A quarter inch long chip has occurred over the inlay causing the original inlay color to show instead of the more golden color over the remainder of the inlay. Does this lack of overlying finish threaten the integrity of the inlay in any way??
This is a fairly early - and wonderful banjo - and I have absolutely no problem with it looking its age so I won't take any action to re-color that chipped area (and a couple of other small areas.) The head has a ton of character and looks like it has been played forever!
Thank you again!
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| banjobart says:
2/5/2015 6:04:29 AM
Daylight destroys the finish, it does not need to be direct sunlight. If you leave the banjo out of the case it will deteriorate. Sometimes the peghead looks better if you flake off all the finish off the inlays with your thumb nail (carefully). I did this many times on old banjos as well as stuff that I made. The lost lacquer does not endanger the inlay.
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| Banjer Joe says:
2/5/2015 6:14:47 PM
Bart,
It's just so much easier to have my banjo handy here in the east side of the house which is not exposed to a lot of daylight. It's darker here than any other place in the house so I'll have to take that risk.
I think I'll avoid trying to flaking any more finish off. Right now it's not noticeable from any distance.
I am very pleased that the chipped finish won't endanger the beautiful inlay work.
Thank you for all your attention to this issue. (Another great reason to love Bart Reiter banjos!)
Joe
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