Using Surgical/Methylated Spirits to harden skin?

Hertz32

I've been playing even more than normal (1 to 2 hours a day has now become 4 to 5) seeing as it's the holidays, and my softish calluses are peeling off for some reason. so I now have a tender spot on my middle finger, has anyone used Meths or Surgical spirit on their calluses? 

monquixote

Didn't work for me (though many years ago now) just play through it. 

not_the_dj

As a teenager I used to sit watching the telly with my fingers in a little dish of the stuff. Not sure how effective it really is though, but I certainly thought it was worth a try.

stonevibe

Yup, it works. You need to rub it in with cotton wool or soak your finger tips. I've used it for years on and off. It just makes the skin a little tougher and helps accelerate calluses when gigging a lot.

tonyrath

Not to be applied internally!  I play regularly up to 6 hours a day and the calluses just build up BUT I took it slowly and built up the practice time slowly. Do it in two hour blocks - give your hands a break 

grungebob

No but due to work etc I have needed to do something similar for cuts or nails lifting to get through a gig and I used a small amount of superglue. Now I'm not saying you should do this but if you decide to try be very careful it's completely dry before touching stuff.

wordy

Hertz32 said:

I've been playing even more than normal (1 to 2 hours a day has now become 4 to 5) seeing as it's the holidays, and my softish calluses are peeling off for some reason. so I now have a tender spot on my middle finger, has anyone used Meths or Surgical spirit on their calluses? 

How is the action on your guitar?  Its just I had similar problems with forever having skin hanging off my fingers during my early days, and it was because my action was too high.  Since I got that sorted out, I have calluses, but not really the cracked peely ones.

If youre really keen you could get some of those rubber thimble things to keep them dry, when you have your hands in water.

The meths thing didnt do anything for me, but maybe I didnt stick at it enough.

bertie

play /  rest / play /  rest

repeat, 

nothing beats a little time and patience.................

Hertz32

wordy said:

Hertz32 said:

I've been playing even more than normal (1 to 2 hours a day has now become 4 to 5) seeing as it's the holidays, and my softish calluses are peeling off for some reason. so I now have a tender spot on my middle finger, has anyone used Meths or Surgical spirit on their calluses? 

How is the action on your guitar?  Its just I had similar problems with forever having skin hanging off my fingers during my early days, and it was because my action was too high.  Since I got that sorted out, I have calluses, but not really the cracked peely ones.

If youre really keen you could get some of those rubber thimble things to keep them dry, when you have your hands in water.

The meths thing didnt do anything for me, but maybe I didnt stick at it enough.

The action is fine, been playing like this for months. It's just the increased play time really... I don't have chunky calluses either, I have the flexible ones that seem to work best, they are just peeling for some reason... 

[Deleted User]

I'd say give it a go.

Everyone's genetics and body chemistry are different.

Someone's tried and tested method may not work for you.

If you find something that works (and assuming it doesn't do any harm) stick to it.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

Paul.

blueskunk

Its what big joe joyce used to use to toughen up his hands

Hertz32

Seems to be working fairly well at the moment! Calluses are still the flexible useful kind and no pain or cracking Definitely recommended over SRV's method of  superglue, drugs and a right bicep  

stonevibe

Its always worked for me in the past, really handy for when you have a load of gigs on and need hard tips!

octatonic

bertie said:

play /  rest / play /  rest

repeat, 

nothing beats a little time and patience.................

Except a blowjob.

Hertz32

And cheap attempts at humor?  

geepers0677

My grandfather was a pro guitarist his whole life - used to soak his fingers in vinegar apparently...