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, (toenail clippers are stronger and work best with Instant Nails), 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 ˝ 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 ˝ 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.
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. You can also cut the tip of the glue bottle just a bit bigger than the pipette, insert the pipette, then carefully tip the glue bottle a bit and siphon in the glue. Make sure you squeeze the pipette before inserting it into the bottle. (When using super glue you may want to wear a filter mask so as not to breathe the fumes as it cures). 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, and then apply the Instant Nail. You want to apply the nail so that it’s straight and follows the natural plane of your nail plate. Covering about ˝ the nail plate, press the Instant Nail firmly using your thumb or finger and hold for approx.15 seconds. Apply pressure to the middle of the nail first, and then hold down the sides of the nail. Use medium to strong pressure. Important: If you use a bit too much glue and the Instant Nail adheres to your finger tip a bit, separate immediately, and then go back to holding down the nail. Keep an eye on this from the moment you first apply the nail. If you do glue a bit of your finger tip to the nail, carefully peel it off. You can use soap and warm water if needed.
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 should add a layer of super glue at the seam. It’s important to keep the seam where the Instant nail meets the natural nail sealed so that water or other foreign substances can’t get in under the nail. You can also in addition to the super glue, brush on some commercial nail hardener or sealer around 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 fiberglass 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: 916-687-0924
Be
sure to read our tips and suggestions page.