Capo Finishes

RobertW
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Capo Finishes Aug 7, 2016 15:09:08 GMT -5

Quote

Post by RobertW on Aug 7, 2016 15:09:08 GMT -5

Most capos, if metal, are either unfinished natural metal, anodized, electro-plated or painted.

Some of the newer manufactures have seemed to taken a lesson from the auto industry and are applying ClearCoat protection (or similar product) to their capos.
Meideal and Swiff are examples i have seen. One of my Kyser's also seems to have a thinner clear coat on it.

Last Edit: Aug 7, 2016 15:20:54 GMT -5 by RobertW

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Seagull S6 Cedar/Cherry (1998)
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TonyKgull
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Location: Ontario, Canada

Capo Finishes Aug 7, 2016 18:07:32 GMT -5

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Post by TonyKgull on Aug 7, 2016 18:07:32 GMT -5

It wouldn't work for all colors, mainly metallic, but it's too bad they don't "hard color" them. I don't even know if that process is still around. But back in the day, I used to engrave all kinds of metal that was hard colored and that finish is almost indestructible. You get a nice gloss color finish that is as durable, maybe even more durable, than anodizing. And it's way more durable and lasts forever compared to any kind of clear coat that you could imagine.

It could withstand heat, even being scraped by fresh hot metal chips during engraving, any kind of solvent and was almost impossible to chip or bang or scrape your way through. It used to be used to coat metal signs that were going to be engraved and mounted out doors and endure the elements so that they could literally last a lifetime. That might be overkill for a capo though. lol.

=====================================
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
- Jesus, from Matthew 11:28-30

RobertW
Global Moderator

Tired of living, it's easy to do.

Posts: 6,199

AKA: Bobbie McMahon on FB and AGF
Location: The Home of Seagull
Playing guitar since: the early 60's with a 20 year hiatus during 80s-90s.

Capo Finishes Aug 7, 2016 19:24:19 GMT -5

Quote

Post by RobertW on Aug 7, 2016 19:24:19 GMT -5

Aug 7, 2016 18:07:32 GMT -5 TonyKgull said:

It wouldn't work for all colors, mainly metallic, but it's too bad they don't "hard color" them. I don't even know if that process is still around. But back in the day, I used to engrave all kinds of metal that was hard colored and that finish is almost indestructible. You get a nice gloss color finish that is as durable, maybe even more durable, than anodizing. And it's way more durable and lasts forever compared to any kind of clear coat that you could imagine.

It could withstand heat, even being scraped by fresh hot metal chips during engraving, any kind of solvent and was almost impossible to chip or bang or scrape your way through. It used to be used to coat metal signs that were going to be engraved and mounted out doors and endure the elements so that they could literally last a lifetime. That might be overkill for a capo though. lol.

Baked enamel, I guessing?
I once worked in a supplier to Northern Electric. The supplied Bell ring generators and power supplies. All the Bell rack-mount cabinets were made in house and baked in-house. I worked in PSU assembly but i learned to operate (on my lunch hour!) thick sheet aluminum benders and shears.
That was a such a fun job.

Last Edit: Aug 7, 2016 19:28:16 GMT -5 by RobertW

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ remember my Profile AKAs...

Seagull S6 Cedar/Cherry (1998)
Seagull Amber Trail CW Mini-Jumbo Spruce/Maple Long scale (2012)
Seagull Coastline Cedar 12 Cedar/Cherry (2015)
Ibanez Artwood Parlour 2 AVN3-NT Spruce/Mahogany (2015)
Martin GPCPA5K Stika Spruce/Koa HDL/Birch Stratabond/Morado Fretboard (2015)
Gretsch Mahogany Boxcar Round-Neck Resonator (2015)
Alvarez ABT60 Baritone Spruce/Mahogany (2016)
Sigma 000M-15 Mahogany, Rosewood Fretboard (2018)

TonyKgull
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Posts: 6,425

Location: Ontario, Canada

Capo Finishes Aug 7, 2016 22:34:52 GMT -5

Quote

Post by TonyKgull on Aug 7, 2016 22:34:52 GMT -5

RobertW, I'm not sure if it was baked enamel or similar, or one step beyond that even. To give an idea of how tough it was, I could laser through anodizing with my 50 watt C02 laser in one pass at half power. Granted, anodizing is pretty micro thin. With hard coloring, I'd have to set the laser to full power and it would take a half dozen passes to get through the stuff. Needless to say, we did not laser engrave anything that was hard colored. It was just too tough to get through.

=====================================
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
- Jesus, from Matthew 11:28-30

WELCOME TO THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR CABIN!!!

Post by RobertW on Aug 7, 2016 15:09:08 GMT -5

Post by TonyKgull on Aug 7, 2016 18:07:32 GMT -5

Post by RobertW on Aug 7, 2016 19:24:19 GMT -5

Post by TonyKgull on Aug 7, 2016 22:34:52 GMT -5

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