ive got a 60's sg gibson knock off. its reliced pretty nice... but when i first got it i polished up the bridge. BAD IDEA. its all shiny now and i want it to look reliced as well...

anyone got any pointers on relicing metal? i searched a bit but couldnt really find anything.

steel wool? sweat on it

rub salt on it?... heh rust looks old, right?

I heard an old WWII story that people selling fake old coins or things that are metal soak them in human urine. The acid in urine attacks the metal, giving it an aged patina.

I heard an old WWII story that people selling fake old coins or things that are metal soak them in human urine. The acid in urine attacks the metal, giving it an aged patina.


would it be inappropriate to make a "pee-bass" joke?

steel wool? sweat on it

steel wool is actually what i used to take off the relic look in the first place... i shoulda just left it alone. oh well. any other pointers... and maybe from someone who has actually done it rather than guessing to piss on it?:p

sandpaper and elbow grease

Dont laugh - You would be surprised at some peoples relicing secrets

Why do you think they keep them secret?

sanding wont get you the patina of aged metal. It's only going to get shiny. I guess it depends on how relic'd you want it?

I think I remember someone saying leave them out in the rain/ outside for several months.

A very complete relic tutorial here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319325

I heard an old WWII story that people selling fake old coins or things that are metal soak them in human urine. The acid in urine attacks the metal, giving it an aged patina.

No joke, uric acid, readily available, we're making more as we speak.Sterile as it exits the body, but clean up is a must. Any mild acid. For more agressive aging? I use wheel cleaner. Available at auto stores everywhere.Not the tire dressing but the brakedust buster. Apply and remove, repeat as necc. Leave it on for the "Found in an Aztec Burial site"
look!

A very complete relic tutorial here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319325

i saw that earlier too but when i click on it it says that it was deleted...

Just play it... rub your fingers all over it.. It'll catch up eventually.

If you do one of these suggestions to speed things up, try to avoid "relicing" the adjustment screws or their threaded holes. You just want it to look like a worn out old junker, not to work like one. ;)