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 well), 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.
If you
want a temporary nail that uses no super glue, you can use our Instant Nails
and adhere them to your nail plate with Glue Dots,
available at office supply and hardware stores. This method doesn’t work as
well, but is an option for those who don’t want to use super glue, and want a
temporary nail. Make sure you use the Super High Tack, Low Profile Glue Dots.
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. The Instant Nail is
only going to be applied to approx. ½ of your nail plate. Remember the nail
has a curve, so measure the “INSTANT NAIL” while bending it around the contour
of the nail plate. Since Instant nails are applied to only half your
nail, the length will be determined by measuring from approximately the middle
of your nail plate. You want to apply the Instant Nail with the shiny
side down. Cut a little bit off at a
time until the desired width is attained. Make sure you cut it a bit longer than
the desired length to allow for clipping and shaping, measuring from about ½
the nail plate.
3. Once cut, wrap the “INSTANT NAIL” around the manicure stick. (It’s
the thin, round wooden stick included in our package) shiny side down, against 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 so that it is straight and follows the plane and 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 ½ the nail plate, press the Instant Nail firmly using your thumb
or finger and hold for approx.20 seconds. Apply even pressure, holding the Instant
Nail flat against your natural nail as straight as possible while making sure
there’s little or no gap where the tip of the natural nail and Instant Nail
meet. 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 your finger tip to the nail, carefully peel it off. You can use soap
and warm water or acetone if needed.
6. Next you should dispense a bit more thin super glue behind the
nail. Apply only a small amount. Always use thin super glue so that it will
disperse and “wick” where needed. Then using nail clippers, clip off any
remaining Instant Nail, if any, 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. The best way 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. When you’ve filed the Instant Nail flush, you can
add a very thin 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. 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 leave it the way it is.
7. Trim and file to your preference. It’s recommended that you start the shape with a good metal file to
establish a good straight “edge”, then a fine grit emery board, and then some
1500 grit sandpaper. Our four way nail
files work good for this. (We include them in our kit, or you can get them
separately).
You
can 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. 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. (When filing an Instant Nail, you may want
to wear a filter mask so as not to breathe the fumes as you file).
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.