astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
I know it's possible, but have no idea how.
How to relic a pickguard?
- Thread starter astrozombie
- Start date
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
Hey Astro,
I tried the coffee method a few years back on pickup covers and knobs. Got results in just a couple of hours using a method that had been suggested by a friend. Made a post about it, with result pics. Check it out.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=143540&highlight=coffee
If you are doing a large surface like a pickguard, the same rules apply. You HAVE to be mindful that where you wear our the plastic, you will get more coloration. That is where the art of it comes in. You have to examine pictures of old guitars, to get the wear spots to look right.
Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.
Hey Astro,
I tried the coffee method a few years back on pickup covers and knobs. Got results in just a couple of hours using a method that had been suggested by a friend. Made a post about it, with result pics. Check it out.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=143540&highlight=coffee
If you are doing a large surface like a pickguard, the same rules apply. You HAVE to be mindful that where you wear our the plastic, you will get more coloration. That is where the art of it comes in. You have to examine pictures of old guitars, to get the wear spots to look right.
Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
Yeah man, it's all in the prep work. You don't want to leave it in coffee for to long, because you don't want the color to sink in with uniformity. Take you time, look at pictures, pick you wear spots. Then make super strong coffee, so those wear spots will take the color, and the rest will in certain degrees.
I was super happy with the results. It was more realistic looking than some ''pro'' relic jobs I have seen.
Yeah man, it's all in the prep work. You don't want to leave it in coffee for to long, because you don't want the color to sink in with uniformity. Take you time, look at pictures, pick you wear spots. Then make super strong coffee, so those wear spots will take the color, and the rest will in certain degrees.
I was super happy with the results. It was more realistic looking than some ''pro'' relic jobs I have seen.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
My preferred brand is Caffe Gioia.
I seem to recall that AZ tinted a Fender MIM maple neck with boot polish. How would that turn out on plastic hardware?
My preferred brand is Caffe Gioia.
I seem to recall that AZ tinted a Fender MIM maple neck with boot polish. How would that turn out on plastic hardware?
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
Very splotchy and uneven. I gave Glenn the shoe polish idea awhile back, after using it years ago picking it up from the FDP.
The best results I had when I reliced a pickguard was taking extremely fine sandpaper (3500 grit) and lightly scuffing my "wear" areas. Beneath the strings, around the controls, etc. This allowed for a little more color to soak in and provide the right look.
Looks even better when done on a mint green guard. :drool:
Very splotchy and uneven. I gave Glenn the shoe polish idea awhile back, after using it years ago picking it up from the FDP.
The best results I had when I reliced a pickguard was taking extremely fine sandpaper (3500 grit) and lightly scuffing my "wear" areas. Beneath the strings, around the controls, etc. This allowed for a little more color to soak in and provide the right look.
Looks even better when done on a mint green guard. :drool:
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
The shoe polish worked goooood. A couple of uneven spots, but that was my fault. It made my Tele's neck as yellow as my Jag and Strat. Used to be almost white!
...hmm coffee huh?
The shoe polish worked goooood. A couple of uneven spots, but that was my fault. It made my Tele's neck as yellow as my Jag and Strat. Used to be almost white!
...hmm coffee huh?
N
nalo1022
Guest
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
I do a multi-step coffee(warm)/bag-o-small bits of metal process. First get a bag and fill it with dirt, sand, rocks, and tiny scews and any other junk on your work bench. Shake this around for a while and remove the pickguard. Now soak it in some hot coffee for a while. remove it and put it back in the back of stuff and shake. Take it out rinse it off and see how it looks. Keep doing this until it looks good..err..bad..whatever. The bits of dirt etc leave to tiny micro abrasions you see on the plastic if you how it up just right. I have also had good luck using kerosene to tarnish the plastic. The kerosene degrades the plastic a bit and the dyes in it react to create a brownish yellow color (smokey barroom). Soak it in the kerosene for a hour or 2 then take it out and let it rest in the sun (outside obviously). It may take a few days for the color to really show. Once its is where you want it you should soak it in water for a day or so to leech out the kerosene. I don't think i need to tell you this is very dangerous.
I do a multi-step coffee(warm)/bag-o-small bits of metal process. First get a bag and fill it with dirt, sand, rocks, and tiny scews and any other junk on your work bench. Shake this around for a while and remove the pickguard. Now soak it in some hot coffee for a while. remove it and put it back in the back of stuff and shake. Take it out rinse it off and see how it looks. Keep doing this until it looks good..err..bad..whatever. The bits of dirt etc leave to tiny micro abrasions you see on the plastic if you how it up just right. I have also had good luck using kerosene to tarnish the plastic. The kerosene degrades the plastic a bit and the dyes in it react to create a brownish yellow color (smokey barroom). Soak it in the kerosene for a hour or 2 then take it out and let it rest in the sun (outside obviously). It may take a few days for the color to really show. Once its is where you want it you should soak it in water for a day or so to leech out the kerosene. I don't think i need to tell you this is very dangerous.
karpathion
New member
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
Pee on it, and bury it in the ground for few weeks.
Pee on it, and bury it in the ground for few weeks.
JaySwear
New member
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
(drank all the coffee and tea he was supposed to use for relicing the pickguard)
(drank all the coffee and tea he was supposed to use for relicing the pickguard)
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: How to relic a pickguard?
That's what to do to the Tele.
Might I suggest the Paul Gilbert approach: Picks on a drill. Nature, gust accelerated!
That's what to do to the Tele.
Might I suggest the Paul Gilbert approach: Picks on a drill. Nature, gust accelerated!
F
Funkfingers
Guest
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