AndyK Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Well, my two babies are back home now: LP had a refret, Firebird had a pro set up - no more 3-hour round trips in 33 degree heat. Actually, if I'm allowed to go off on a tangent on my own thread... talking of ageing, my guitar tech Joe took delivery of some brand new Firebirds, sent to him directly by Gibson, and instructed him to "age" them in the extreme. So, he's stripped them of the original colour, and is making them uber-aged Pelham blue. Apparently there is a market for this. I honestly don't get it - and nor does he! Anyway, back on topic. My LP is a 97 Classic and already has a vintage sort of look. The only thing that's too shiny are the p/u covers. I just want to very gently take the gloss off them, but I don't want to leave a load of visible scratches. Anybody done this successfully? If so, what did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsbarns Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Well, my two babies are back home now: LP had a refret, Firebird had a pro set up - no more 3-hour round trips in 33 degree heat. Actually, if I'm allowed to go off on a tangent on my own thread... talking of ageing, my guitar tech Joe took delivery of some brand new Firebirds, sent to him directly by Gibson, and instructed him to "age" them in the extreme. So, he's stripped them of the original colour, and is making them uber-aged Pelham blue. Apparently there is a market for this. I honestly don't get it - and nor does he! Anyway, back on topic. My LP is a 97 Classic and already has a vintage sort of look. The only thing that's too shiny are the p/u covers. I just want to very gently take the gloss off them, but I don't want to leave a load of visible scratches. Anybody done this successfully? If so, what did you use? Heat up some vinegar, put it in a container that has a lid, put something in it that will stand above the surface, place your nickel plated hardware on to so that it is not in the vinegar, but above it, place the lid on to maximise exposure to the vapour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted August 2, 2013 Author Share Posted August 2, 2013 Ooh, interesting - not heard of that before. I think they might be chrome-plated - not sure - they are very shiny. The bridge and tailpiece are nickel and have dulled/corroded naturally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Heat up some vinegar, put it in a container that has a lid, put something in it that will stand above the surface, place your nickel plated hardware on to so that it is not in the vinegar, but above it, place the lid on to maximise exposure to the vapour. This would apply to nickel, but nickel would have aged visibly from 1997 up to now. It goes around chrome hardware, and chrome platings are very hard to age other than mechanical. You run the risk to damage everything beyond the pickup cover, and still won't see any effect on the chrome plating. This is due to its passivation with a thin and rather hard coat of Chrome(III)oxide or Cr2O3 that becomes even more resistive when aggressive chemicals are brought onto it. To achieve an aged look, it is best to change to nickel plated pickup covers. They won't look new for a long time, and you could speed it up easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 If they are chrome plated (and they most likely are) the vinegar probably won't get you there. You can use fine gauge steel wool to cut through the varnish first. However, you can get there quickly with muriatic acid. Follow the vapour method outlined by Farns, but watch them closely as this stuff works fast. Also make sure to seal that container, wear gloves, and do not breath the vapours - it's highly poisonous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted August 2, 2013 Author Share Posted August 2, 2013 Thank you to all the resident chemists on here. Also make sure to seal that container, wear gloves, and do not breath the vapours - it's highly poisonous. Aiee! (1) I'm a fraidy cat, and (2) the covers are soldered on and (3) I'm too stupid to know how to remove them and then solder them back on, so... I'll try the wire wool method. I'll let you know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHTom Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 another idea is soda blasting Like sand blasting but with baking soda so it is more gentle. I restore antique snowmobiles and I've seen it used even on soft aluminum with good results. It will be an "even" finish.....not the "randomness" of true aging, but will dull the shine. NHTom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted August 2, 2013 Author Share Posted August 2, 2013 So... under the chrome plating, are they nickel?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 So... under the chrome plating, are they nickel?? Yes, they should be. Brass is plated with nickel first, and subsequently the nickel is plated with chrome in order to make them less sensitive to corrosion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyMoon Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 do not let the acid come into contact ..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoA0O6kSBqk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 I did the Muriatic Acid method on some parts for my Gretsch project and it works, this stuff will knock down that chrome blue shine right off. The problem is the input jack "aged" very evenly while the bridge developed spots. I am sure with good qaulity chrome the results are better but you just never know. In the end I was pleased with the results on my Gretsch project because the chrome parts that I aged match the aluminum bigsby, nickel pikcup covers and nickel knobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 I just go over them with a bit of ScotchBrite. Never use steel wool on a pickup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 I just go over them with a bit of ScotchBrite. Never use steel wool on a pickup. Woooah, great look! You are absolutely right - steelwool is not the right thing to work on magnetic parts. Very good comment indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted August 2, 2013 Author Share Posted August 2, 2013 Ah, ok. Scotchbrite it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted August 2, 2013 Author Share Posted August 2, 2013 I did the Muriatic Acid method on some parts for my Gretsch project and it works, this stuff will knock down that chrome blue shine right off. The problem is the input jack "aged" very evenly while the bridge developed spots. I am sure with good qaulity chrome the results are better but you just never know. In the end I was pleased with the results on my Gretsch project because the chrome parts that I aged match the aluminum bigsby, nickel pikcup covers and nickel knobs. I'd be interested to see any pics, if you took some? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 I posted a thread on that project but I am not sure there was a lot of focus on the aging of the metal parts since that was the easier part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 You are absolutely right - steelwool is not the right thing to work on magnetic parts. Very good comment indeed. I had assumed the covers were removed. Didn't know you were a fraidy cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted August 2, 2013 Author Share Posted August 2, 2013 That I am, sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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