How does the Factory,guarantee against checking?

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:08 am

How does Ric. send out so many instruments in this cold weather and not have problems with Checking?

throw_this_away · Post by **throw_this_away** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:23 am

guessing they are not left out in the cold.

Also, being in hard cases acts like climate control. Checking is more of an issue of rapid changes in temp is it not? Keeping an instrument in a solid case would insulate it and thus outside changes in temp would be more gradual on the inside of the case.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:28 am

On the shipping box, it tells the customer to wait 48 hours before unpacking so the guitar slowly acclimates to room temperature.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:17 am

A week or two ago JH posted the safe temperature range for RIC finishes. It is amazingly broad actually. He stressed though that temperature changes must be gradual.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:18 am

Yes, it is the rapid change in temperature that causes checking. I had the unfortunate experience of learning this first hand after being a little too eager to see my latest acquisition. That is not a sound I wish to hear again.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:19 am

You could actually hear it cracking?!!

ken_swearingen · Post by **ken_swearingen** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:26 am

[squinting]ah,that hurts.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:36 am

One time about 20 years ago I thought it would be a good idea to blow the dust off my Rick with a can of dust remover(the stuff that used to be for camera lenses...I think the same stuff is now marketed for blowing dust off computer equipment). Anywho...I don't know what sort of liquid nitrogen-like chemical is in those cans, but if the can isn't held level, the chemical will spray out. So, wouldn't you know...the chemical spat out on my Rick, flash froze the finish and about a 2 inch swath of cracks spider-webbed out above the neck pickup.

That time I actually heard it cracking, Ted!

Beware the dust remover, children!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:30 am

Yikes! That is not something I want to ever hear! Getting back to Ken's original question. RIC does not guarantee against finish checking so much as take precautions against it occurring. Once it leaves the factory it is out of their hands. If you follow their recommendations for letting the instrument adjust for 48 hours in the case, the finish will likely be perfect. If not, you are on your own.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 11:55 am

According to what I've read they actually use a secret ingredient in the conversion varnish that prevents most finish checking.
I've also seen a story where some kids inhale the canned air & die almost instantly. Apparently you can get a buzz off the propellant, but random deaths have occurred. They're not sure why it only happens rarely, but needless to say, this is something not to be left where children can get ahold of it!

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:23 pm

Kids today are stupid. Me being one of them... I well say that again. Kids today are stupid!

Id hate to have it crack on me. Its nice to know this stuff sence I should have mine on the way in a few days. Chip thinks hes really close to something. After looking into I dont know how many. I cant wait.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:31 pm

They usually contain difluroethane. It can displace the air in your lungs. Sounds like a good time! Apparently in some people it causes an allergic type reaction that can be fatal but is not particularly toxic in general. That is according to its MSDS anyway.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:44 pm

Yeah, it seems to be a rare occurrence, but why take the chance!
Hope you get your new Rick in time for Christmas, Jacob! That would be awesome

As far as waiting to open the case if it's been in the cold, it's best to err on the safe side & wait a little longer than necessary. A few hours at room temp should be enough, though.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:49 pm

Well the good news is that Chip well be the one getting it and Ill pick it up at his house after he sets it up for me. So Im sure with how many bases hes shiped and received hell know better. Plus I wont feel presure to open it if I dont have it yet haha. Yeah Im really hoping I get one before Xmas. However If I dont it well be okay. It should be shortly after if not before. Plus im getting a recording machine and a mic for Xmas. So Ill spend alot of my time recording which well hold me over. But there maybe some clips of me playing up sometime soon. If I can figure it all out that is haha.

I was talking to my step dad about that stuff. If you turn the can upside down and spray it... you can see the frost on the bottom of the can. Or see it frost over anyways. Thats some weird stuff.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:27 pm

Just a little physics for you. Any compressed gas when released cools rapidly and drastically. The reverse is true when the gas is compressed - it heats up. Rapidly releasing pressure will cause the moisture in the material in the can and in the surrounding air to condense into "snow" and the valve and the can will also cool to the point of condensation and even frost appearing. Volatile chemicals evaporate more quickly, speeding up the condensation process. This can even be done without pressure, with things such as liquid plastic cement. I don't recommend it, but if you were to spill a considerable amount of the stuff, it will evaporate quickly and really cool the surface it is on, sometimes enough to form frost. Ah, fun with science!