When I was young my nails were really tough and needed no treatment or protection. Fingerstyle was no problem and I could use my index finger nail as a thrash plectrum. Never needed to think about it. Over the decades my nails have become thinner, more brittle and prone to splitting. I suspect this is a common experience. I've used the tissue-paper-and-superglue method with success in the past, but now I'm 70 and I find the nail isn't such a reliable substrate any more, in that the adhesive doesn't seem to bind so well. Maybe superglues aren't what they used to be? but I suspect it's also an age thing. I'm needing to look for a better method...
hi I run a farm and play fingerstyle guitar too. I find that I can keep my nails pretty intact by wearing the cheap $1/a pair gloves from Home Depot while I am working. I keep a pair in my back pocket and put them on at all times when I do anything at all. When I don't I invariably chip them.
I do the exact thing you do.I use Dex fit nylon gloves. There more expensive, but last longer and give more protection. Glueing fake nails on just ruins the natural nails and is a pain in the ass.
The artificial solutions can cause problems including infection. One consideration is that you don't really need very long nails to achieve a nice sound on nylon or steel strings. The key is to keep them filed just long enough to see a thin white margin beyond the flesh when you look at the palm of your hand. Many people grow them too long which makes them more prone to break. In my opinion the best tone comes from the combo of flesh and nail on the string. And there is a lot more maintenance with the artificial nails. But whatever works best for the individual is ...welll...individual.
