INSTRUCTIONS
FOR APPLYING “INSTANT NAIL” FOR GUITARISTS.
Please
read all the instructions before using!
Along with the “INSTANT NAIL” kit, you’ll need: Scissors, Kleenex, good nail clippers, and a disposable, non-porous surface like a piece of smooth plastic, or clear tape. Make sure you have good lighting. Also have some acetone, nail polish remover with acetone, or super glue debonder in case of glue spills or skin bonding.
Instant Nails are
applied with the use of cyanoacrylate glue (super
glue). If you have any allergies to this product, consult a physician before
using. If you have any medical conditions or problems with your fingernails,
consult a physician before use. If any irritation occurs while using this
product, discontinue use and consult a physician.
1. Wash your hands with soap and water before applying. Dry them well.
2. Cut a piece of “INSTANT NAIL” the width of your nail plate. You don’t want the sides of the “INSTANT NAIL” in contact with the skin around the sides of the nail plate. The Instant Nail is only going to be covering ½ of your nail plate, applied so that the back of the Instant Nail is just in front of where the sides of the cuticle end. Remember the nail has a curve, so measure the “INSTANT NAIL” while wrapping it around the contour of the nail plate. Cut a little bit off at a time until the desired width is attained. You want the “INSTANT NAIL” applied with the textured side down. This is the side that will be glued to your nail plate. Make sure you cut it a bit longer than the desired length to allow for clipping and shaping.
3. Once cut, wrap the “INSTANT NAIL” around the manicure stick (It’s the thin, round wooden stick included in our package), textured side against the stick. Carefully roll it around until you achieve a curve. Create a curve in the “INSTANT NAIL” that matches the contour of your natural nail plate. Make sure the curve you create is in contact with as much surface area of your nail plate as possible. You can fine tune this by using nail clippers to lightly bend down the sides of the Instant Nail so that they’re in contact with the sides of your nail plate.
4. Dry
fit the “INSTANT NAIL”. Practice placement of the nail a couple of times before applying super glue. You want
the “INSTANT NAIL” to cover about ½ the nail plate. You want a good bond
especially at the front and sides
of the nail so that it hugs
and follows the natural curve of the nail plate. Put it on straight, with a slight downward angle. This will
make the back of the Instant Nail come up off the nail plate a bit, that’s O.K.
You can clip off the excess when you file and taper the Instant Nail later on.
5. Dispense a good size drop of thin super glue onto any non-porous surface, (a piece of tape, taped to a flat piece of cardboard works fine) and then suck it up into the pipette. Dispense a thin layer of super glue to the front half of your natural nail plate, just enough to stay wet. You can use the pipette to spread the glue. Then lightly apply the “INSTANT NAIL”, covering no more than ½ the nail plate, make sure it’s positioned correctly with a slight downward angle, this will make the back of the Instant Nail come up off the nail plate a bit. Then apply light pressure towards the front of the nail plate. Make sure there is no gap between the front edge of your nail plate, and the Instant Nail. A good technique is to turn your finger towards you, and with medium pressure use the thumb of your right hand to hold down the left side of the nail, and the thumb of your left hand to hold down the right side while the glue is drying. This applies to right hand application. (The technique’s a bit different if applying a thumbnail). There are other techniques that work as well, just make sure you hold down the Instant Nail evenly across the nail plate until the glue dries, usually about 15 to 30 seconds.
6. Next trim the back of the “INSTANT NAIL” with nail clippers, any of the material that is up off the nail. Then you should dispense a bit more thin super glue behind the nail. Apply only a small amount. If the glue is thin it will disperse to where it’s needed. Then using nail clippers, clip off any remaining Instant Nail at the back that is up off the nail plate. The next step is to file and taper the back of the “INSTANT NAIL” flush with your nail plate. You can use a course grit file as you start tapering, then a finer grit file. However, the best way to taper is with an automatic rotary file. The reason for this is that you can closely monitor your filing as you’re doing so. It’s much more accurate and precise. Be careful not to file off any of your natural nail plate while doing this step. Swiss carbide bits work the best. When you’ve filed the Instant Nail flush, you can add a very thin layer of super glue at the seam. Make sure it’s seamless and smooth all around with a fine grit file, then some 1500 grit sandpaper. At this point you can add a layer of our silk wrap to the nail, or just to the tip of the nail. Adhere the wrap to the nail, trim off the excess, and then super glue to the wrap. It dries very quickly.
7. Trim and file to your preference. Start with a semi-course grit and then use a finer grit nail file. Finish with 1500 grit sandpaper. Although it’s a matter of personal taste, we have found that because of the consistency of Instant Nails, a diamond or metal file doesn’t seem to work as well as emery board type files for rough filing. Four way nail files work great and are very inexpensive. (We include them in our kit, or you can get them separately). Always finish with 1500 grit sandpaper or an equivalent file. It’s a good idea to leave the “INSTANT NAIL” a bit long until you get used to its filing characteristics.
8. If you make a mistake, or break an “INSTANT NAIL” The way to remove it is to file it off. Simply clip off the old “INSTANT NAIL” even with the tip of your natural nail underneath with nail clippers, and then file it off. An automatic rotary nail file with a carbide bit works great for filing Instant Nails off in about a minute or so. It’s fast, and accurate. Be careful not to file off any of your real nail plate. You can leave on a thin layer of the old “INSTANT NAIL”. You can also use a regular emery board type file. It’s not quite as fast or precise, but works fine. Be careful when filing not to file to fast or hard, as the friction can build up and get hot. Move back and forth to different locations of the nail when filing. Once you file down enough, you can apply a new “INSTANT NAIL. Do not to attempt to peel the old nail off, or use any chemicals to remove it. Just carefully file it off.
If you have any questions or problems, don’t hesitate to e-mail us at
customerservice@guitarplayernails.com , or call us: 916-631-4219
Be
sure to read our tips and suggestions page.