Hi Ken.
I used acrylic for a long time a few years ago when I played live all the time. I really needed some consistency so I first went to a nail salon and asked the beautician to do my three fingers. She hated me being there, so she sold me the stuff: primer, sculpting liquid, powder, brushes. You first prime the nail, then you dip the brush in the liquid, then dip it in the powder which kind of melts once the liquid hits it. Then you dab the stuff on your nail. When it dries a few minutes later, you have to file it all smooth, but boy does it give you strong nails ... impervious to any guitar playing action. I used to joke I could adjust the truss bar of my Strat with my finger nail.
The downside is that they pop off after a while, or peel off, and each time they take a layer of nail, so after a few applications your nail gets super thin and then you HAVE to use it. I stopped when I didn't play live every night and when they finally grew back in they were very strong. If I ever get back out there performing regularly, I'd probably use it again as it really does make them super strong.
You can buy kits with all the stuff packaged together in the beauty department of any big store.
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