How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Hello I want to relic my poly finish strat. Anyone has good tips for me because this is my first time doing this. and does sanding work?
 
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Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

relic on poly really doesnt work that well. you can do some dings and dongs, some scrapes but sanding wont work. For an actual reliced look you have to go with nitro laquer.

I have two pictures for you of my ibanez rg which is battered to hell and has been "reliced" by a previous owner. Its poly and as you can see it doesnt look that great.

IMG_20180918_185145.jpgIMG_20180918_185156.jpg
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

You could try 000 steel wool to dull the shine. Did this with a red Squier Strat. Try a small spot in the back first to see how it turns out.
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

My MIM Jazz Bass and American Standard Strat have been around the block a time or three for almost 20’and after polishing with a swirl remover they look almost new other than a few buckle dents. Fender poly is ridiculously durable.
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

I really hate the idea of relics- but here's what someone else did to my American Deluxe Strat, which I guess is Polyurethane. Allegedly the previous owner or owner's friend was a Fender employee who took the guitar back to the factory for a comprehensive relic job (which is not very believable but not *implausible* because the factory is fifteen miles away.) There are subtle points not really visible, dulled swirls, rusted screws, etc.

(Stock pickguard is reliced but no pics on-hand at the moment.)

image.jpg
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

3 ways

1) ask your ex to look after it (beware neck breakage likely)
2) loan it to teenagers, it'll occur naturally
3) key it

PS it'll look like crap. Guaranteed.

Btw, you COULD just flip it and buy a beat-up old but good guitar for cheap...
 
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Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Don't do it. Poly is a problem to relic. It won't look natural.

The whole raison d'etre for using poly on a guitar is so it will look nicer longer.

Bill
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Here's some good tips on relicing if you are so inclined to watch...viewer discretion advised.;)




;>)/
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Here's another video that's a bit more in depth for a John Frusciante (Red Hot Chilipeppers) '62 Strat replica.




;>)/
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

The best way to fo it fast is to send it to MJT for a strip and nitrocellulose lacquer refinish/relic job. Fake wear on poly always looks like total garbage IMO. It rarely even looks convincing on lacquer to me, but you've got a much better shot that way.

That said, play it for 30 years in the real world, and that poly will look relic'd better than a fake lacquer relic job now.
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Poly is inherently hard to relic as other have said. It won't look good. You're better off just taking a heat gun and putty knife in order to refin. I've had a MJT closet clean body relic nicely in 6 years. A Nash strat that was relic'd nicely in the body, but over done on the neck. The best "relic" I've seen is a '98 AVRI Candy Gold strat body that was loved and played dearly.

Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk
 
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Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

I would think if you took a heat gun
Warmed up the finish
Then set an aluminum pot full of ice on the warmed up area

It would check like nobody's business

I dont know for sure

But my buddy left his strat in a tin shed here in Alabama
And the heat and humidity caused the flame veneer to separate and peel off
It's not the cool checking
It's more jagged, uncomfortable potato chip like

Remove all the hardware and plastics
Stick just the body in the oven at 140 degrees for one hour
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Oh and dont leave leave it in any hotter
The glue that holds the body peices together will split and let go

The wood may split anyways
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

I would think if you took a heat gun
Warmed up the finish
Then set an aluminum pot full of ice on the warmed up area

It would check like nobody's business

I dont know for sure

But my buddy left his strat in a tin shed here in Alabama
And the heat and humidity caused the flame veneer to separate and peel off
It's not the cool checking
It's more jagged, uncomfortable potato chip like

Remove all the hardware and plastics
Stick just the body in the oven at 140 degrees for one hour

Poly bubbles cracks and peels under heat
 
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Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Not under low heat
140 degrees isn't enough to bubble it

It should soften then contract when it cools

Heat is how you remove polyurethane

Softens and scrapes off

Heat gun is how you heat it

Look up some YouTube videos on removing polyurethane
You'll see
 
Re: How do I relic my poly finish strat?

Not under low heat
140 degrees isn't enough to bubble it

It should soften then contract when it cools

Heat is how you remove polyurethane

Softens and scrapes off

Heat gun is how you heat it

Look up some YouTube videos on removing polyurethane
You'll see

Yeah Ive DONE it

Heat indeed removes it... but not in a pretty fashion.
 
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