Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

[CapoFirstFret]

Hey guys, I want my strat to feel just a bit more like my old one did, at least cosmetically. Does anyone know an effective way to age the new Fender plastic parts? I have heard from you guys that they don't take to shoe polish very well anymore and I want my plastic bits to be a bit more aged and worn even if it's gonna take decades for the finish of hte guitar to match. any suggestions?

 

[spacecaptain21]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I don't know much on this, but I think dipping in coffee works?

 

[FenderFan79]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I've used the coffee soak on knobs and pickup covers, I find a very strong mix of instant coffee works better than real coffee though.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

maybe buy some aged plastic to start with

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

take up smokin

 

[greco]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I've used the coffee soak on knobs and pickup covers, I find a very strong mix of instant coffee works better than real coffee though.

About how long did you let the parts soak?

Not wishing to highjack CapoFirstFret, just wondering.:blackeye:

I'm thinking of doing the same thing.:smokin:

Good luck with getting the look you are after.:fingersx:

Dave

 

[metlking]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

It just so happens I've had some parts floating in coffee for the last three days.......Don't know if it'll work or not, I'll let you know on friday! I'm letting them soak for 1 week.........I got an aged set for Christmas, not as aged as I expected, so I'm soaking the original parts. Stay tuned.......

A state-wide smoking ban just went into effect in Ohio so no more yellow patina from the smokers! Killed the bar business here too, and the band business as well.........fukrs!

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I'd heard that using tea was a good way of doing it.

 

[Heavy]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

Some batches of plastic will take right before your eyes, some will never. Duncan pickup covers stay bright white forever. Some Fender ones age in two minute coffee baths. It's how porous the plastic is I guess.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I've had to lightly sand some pup covers the get them to take the coffee stain and even then it's not that great. I've never had a problem though staining any of the knobs. IMHO, sometimes it's worth just buying the complete vintage cream knob and cover set for about $12 for a consistant color change.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I always had good luck with earl grey tea, brewed very strong. it took about ten mins last time

 

[greco]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I always had good luck with earl grey tea, brewed very strong. it took about ten mins last time

mrfjunes...you being serious here? Just want to check with you before I try it, in case you are joking

Thanks

Dave

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

I always just use the good old fashioned "wait ten years" method

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

well I tried the wait ten years method with my old strat...and then it got stolen..now I'm just impatient I want it to look a little worn now like my other one did. I want it to be *more* like my old one now

 

[tubeman87]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

1) you'll need an emery board (the thing that women use on thier nails)/or a 200-400 grit sand paper.

2) some dark color stain (walnut or something like that)

3) a rag and some Q-tips

Sand down the top of the knobs and the sides, basically everywhere, what you're doing is removing what ever top coat is on there, by doing this it will allow the plastic to absord some on the color.

After you've finished that, take a Q-tip and dip it in the stain, rub it on the knobs and wipe clean with the rag, the longer you leave the stain on the darker it will stain. let them dry for about 4hrs. After this you could seal them or leave them as is. You can do this for your pickguard as well, heres a pic of mine just as a example of the result.....good luck hope this helps

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Making my strat feel a bit more like home....

Pee on them.

Don't ever shake hands with anybody.