"Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

Archer250

Well-known member
After one "tech accident" too many, I decided to just screw with trying to keep the guitar looking pristine, and just join the dark side altogether.

I've already aged the hardware and dulled the pickup cover.

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I don't worry too much about the finish since it's so thin it's much much easier to overdo it. In fact, there's a new scratch or ding every 5 times I remove it out of its case.

That said, how should go about sanding? I'll probably use somewhere around 300-600 grit sandpaper, but I'm not sure if I should dry sand it or wet sand it.
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

I do like the brushed look of the hardware (I always loved brushed hardware), but that paint is too pretty to take off.
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

Just play teh p!ss out of it,wear will happen...

Too pretty to bugger with,IMO...
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

I do like the brushed look of the hardware (I always loved brushed hardware), but that paint is too pretty to take off.
I know. That's why I'll remove *very* little and try to make it look more "used" and "old" rather than "worn".

But the small chips I'll put in I'll have to sand in order to make it look natural.

There's already a few cracks, actually.

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Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

just play it and let the wear happen naturally
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

After one "tech accident" too many In fact, there's a new scratch or ding every 5 times I remove it out of its case.

- "Tech Accident"?
- Remove it from the case more,or leave it out if possible
- Moar Pics?
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

Gig more, or take it to show and tell at a kindergarten.
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

I'd be curious to see the effect of buffing with brown paper over the chipped area in the paint. Use something rough, like a brown paper grocery bag. I think it approximates the wear of skin and clothing on wood and paint.
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

Poly is one of those things that never looks authentic aged. In fact the 'chipped not sanded' look is more real than smoothing the edges off, as nitro old guitars have very brittle paint that chipped off irregularly when dinged.

If you are wedded to continuing, I would simply add a few more dings on exposed areas that you might damage when say turning around, putting the lead into the guitar etc. The more you do the worse it will look generally speaking.
And old guitars are rarely simply dulled like you find by knocking back the whole finish. They have wear-shiny patches, scratchy patches and original shine patches.
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

Use a metal pick, sand paper on your forearm and flail like Billie Joe or Kurt Cobain. At least then it's just an accelerated version of true wear.

Slightly on topic, my main bass and Strat are poly, they've been played and abused, other than the scratches you see in the light, the poly is so amazingly durable.
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

- "Tech Accident"?
- Remove it from the case more,or leave it out if possible
- Moar Pics?
-a screwdriver slipped
-the thing is, it dents, but the paint is still intact
-later. Heading out to Uni.


And guys, I'd *love* to age it naturally, but I've rarely chipped poly paint before. As in, only when a sharp object slipped onto the guitar at certain angles. This guitar gets scratches and dents easily, but not chips.



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Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

I definitely researched other relic'd straws, an exactor knife was my friend, and cautious sandpapering using assorted grits
 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

Well. There goes nothing. The guitar certainly looks less "featureless" now.





 
Re: "Thinking" of relicing my (not main) guitar

That actually looks really nice! I love the headstock. I'd keep it as it is right now.
 
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