what would/could you do about this?

[hord1080]

I noticed a chip in the finish on my 2009 Korina McCarty neck and I am concerned it might spread. There are also separate smaller bubbles in the area. What is the prognosis usually for this type of issue? Would you try to DIY a fix, or leave it, or find a luthier to repair? It looks like potentially a drop of thin glue or poly could wick into the void and reinforce it and potentially even make it invisible with the right skill and maybe sanding. I currently do not have a luthier and I did find a gentleman in my area who seems to have good reviews but of course it feels like a lot of trust to give her to someone for "our first rodeo" since she is otherwise in superb condition. Maybe this is not a difficult repair and I shouldn't worry about it, or bring them another less desirable guitar to fix to gauge their competency first.

 

[Wakester]

Clear Nail Polish. A little Dab will do ya.

 

[Tony M.]

Clear Nail Polish. A little Dab will do ya.

Beat me to it.

 

[docteurseb]

It should probably be spot repaired or it may spread.

If it were my guitar I would try thin super glue to see if it can first flow into the lifted areas finish to stabilize it. Chipping a bit of extra finish would likely be needed to reach stabilize the extra bubbles further away from the chip.
Then clear nail polish or a clear lacquer touch up paint (see StewMac).
Build up more coats if needed. Sand and buff once dry.

It's easy to screw up and make a mess with thin CA glue; in doubt bring it to a luthier/repair shop.
Or ask PRS for advice, especially if you are the original owner (warranty might cover that depending on how this happened and if it's a finish failure).

 

[László]

You're going to feel it every time you play if it isn't done right. If it was my guitar, it'd go to PRS' PTC.

If you're the original owner, it might be a warranty repair.

 

[toothace]

I noticed a chip in the finish on my 2009 Korina McCarty neck and I am concerned it might spread. There are also separate smaller bubbles in the area. What is the prognosis usually for this type of issue? Would you try to DIY a fix, or leave it, or find a luthier to repair? It looks like potentially a drop of thin glue or poly could wick into the void and reinforce it and potentially even make it invisible with the right skill and maybe sanding. I currently do not have a luthier and I did find a gentleman in my area who seems to have good reviews but of course it feels like a lot of trust to give her to someone for "our first rodeo" since she is otherwise in superb condition. Maybe this is not a difficult repair and I shouldn't worry about it, or bring them another less desirable guitar to fix to gauge their competency first.

I had something similar happen with my 408 when I bought it in 2013. Back to the PTC and they took care of it. Can't tell anything was done to it.

 

[Drew]

Don't do nail polish, super glue, etc. That is a band aid on an axe wound. That is one of the model years of the dreaded V12 finish de-lam and its starting right where most of others did, over the edge of the fretboard. You could spot repair that area but more than likely another spot is going to develop elsewhere. Send it to PTC.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Get a quote from the PTC. Like @Drew said, it’ll spread.

 

[bodia]

Don't do nail polish, super glue, etc. That is a band aid on an axe wound. That is one of the model years of the dreaded V12 finish de-lam and its starting right where most of others did, over the edge of the fretboard. You could spot repair that area but more than likely another spot is going to develop elsewhere. Send it to PTC.

Get a quote from the PTC. Like @Drew said, it’ll spread.

Yep, same happened to me. PTC took care of it under warranty

 

[Rider1260]

One guitar ( CU22 ) was fixed under warranty ( even tho it was not under warranty ) the second guitar my DGT had chipping and other damage from a previous owner , that guitar I had the neck re-clear coated in nitro by a luther that does the things I can't.
You can still see the " patina " but you can't feel it .
My CU22 came back from PTC like a brand new guitar no way you can go wrong with them.

 

[hord1080]

Thanks all. I'm not the original owner but I'll see what PTC has to say.

 

[BradM]

Some might not like my reply, but leave it. This is what I call natural relic! And, where it's positioned...eh, just call it a bottom position marker. Yeah, you could repair it, but a guitar is meant to be played and, in that, we leave our impressions. You're adding to it's history. I have 1-2 spots on both my PRS's ('07 Singlecut Satin Std. and '09 Sunburst 22 PF09 and I'll leave them as-is because they're part of their heritage. I'm not into all the fake 'relic' for the sake of look...but, years of battle scars?...I like them.

 

[Tone-y]

Some might not like my reply, but leave it. This is what I call natural relic! And, where it's positioned...eh, just call it a bottom position marker. Yeah, you could repair it, but a guitar is meant to be played and, in that, we leave our impressions. You're adding to it's history. I have 1-2 spots on both my PRS's ('07 Singlecut Satin Std. and '09 Sunburst 22 PF09 and I'll leave them as-is because they're part of their heritage. I'm not into all the fake 'relic' for the sake of look...but, years of battle scars?...I like them.

My 2010 pf09 finish has a fair few nicks and bumps, signs of wear etc. I'm taking them as the natural relic part of its heritage angle too. I think it's easier once you've got a few bumps and have accepted them. That first one on a pristine guitar is always hard

 

[Drew]

Some might not like my reply, but leave it. This is what I call natural relic! And, where it's positioned...eh, just call it a bottom position marker. Yeah, you could repair it, but a guitar is meant to be played and, in that, we leave our impressions. You're adding to it's history. I have 1-2 spots on both my PRS's ('07 Singlecut Satin Std. and '09 Sunburst 22 PF09 and I'll leave them as-is because they're part of their heritage. I'm not into all the fake 'relic' for the sake of look...but, years of battle scars?...I like them.

Nicks, scratches, scrapes, and natural aging of a guitar is cool, but the OP's guitar is exhibiting the signs of a known defect in the V12 finish that occurred during a couple of production years. Basically, once it starts flaking off, it keeps going. One guy here or on TGP (can't remember) said his entire neck was bare after all the finish flaked/peeled off.

 

[Tony M.]

Having only been involved with PRS guitars for a couple of years
I was not aware of the fact that this was a known finish issue.
Forget the clear nail polish and contact PRS.

Apologies for basically talking out of my hat.

 

[SupremeDalek]

Play the balls off of it and move along. Unless it's a museum piece, just play.

 

[BradM]

Nicks, scratches, scrapes, and natural aging of a guitar is cool, but the OP's guitar is exhibiting the signs of a known defect in the V12 finish that occurred during a couple of production years. Basically, once it starts flaking off, it keeps going. One guy here or on TGP (can't remember) said his entire neck was bare after all the finish flaked/peeled off.

Wow, hadn't heard that. Yes, if they cover the defect...PRS is the place to go. (Me? I'm always hesitant shipping my guitars.)

 

[GADonis]

Some might not like my reply, but leave it. This is what I call natural relic! And, where it's positioned...eh, just call it a bottom position marker. Yeah, you could repair it, but a guitar is meant to be played and, in that, we leave our impressions. You're adding to it's history. I have 1-2 spots on both my PRS's ('07 Singlecut Satin Std. and '09 Sunburst 22 PF09 and I'll leave them as-is because they're part of their heritage. I'm not into all the fake 'relic' for the sake of look...but, years of battle scars?...I like them.

My 2009 McSoaporina has the same thing. I haven't done anything to address it and I don't notice while I'm playing, so I've left it alone.

 

[gaussian54]

I'm the proud 2nd owner of a Custom 24 special order wood library lefty. The guitar was pristine upon receiving it. However, after a few months of daily use I'm seeing chipping & flaking on the edges of the neck very similar to those in the OP's photo. The hang tag that came w/ the case candy reads 6/29/18. Initially I thought changes in temp, humidity may have been the cause. Now I'm wondering if my guitar is among those w/ the "dread V12" finish mentioned earlier in this thread. Anyone know the years affected?

 

[gush]

Wow, hadn't heard that. Yes, if they cover the defect...PRS is the place to go. (Me? I'm always hesitant shipping my guitars.)

I get high anxiety when a guitar i own is being shipped.

Had one get to its destination with severely damaged case once. Ugh. Luckily it was only the case.