Cleaning pickguard

Designator · #1 06-06-2011, 07:28 AM

Hi guys, new here.

My neighbour used to play bass and had a bass laying around. I play a little guitar and asked if I could borrow it. Now I'm sitting here with his purple squier p-bass and I've been jamming on it for a while now but all I'm thinking is "How can I get the aged pickguard white again?".

I know in the guitar world there's loads of people trying to do the exact opposite, but I think white would look so much better with the rest of the guitar.

Can any one help me out with this?

dbhokie · #2 06-06-2011, 07:45 AM

Get some 0000 Steel pads at your local hardware store.
Get some Orange&Glo Concentrate from wherever.

Go home
Work over the pickguard with the 0000 lightly (don't press hard at all! You want a uniform finish!) Keep going repetition is the key not pressure, until it is all dulled and all everything is smooth.

Wipe it clean, apply orange glo with a foam applicator, (that's right the mopping shite), lightly sand/buff again, repeat about 6 times..makes the plastic look like new.

**TheMutt** · #3 06-06-2011, 07:59 AM

You could also use Novus plastic polish, or the plastic polish for use on cars (I think Meguiars makes something for that IIRC). Just make sure that you're removing the pickguard first, and then thoroughly clean it afterwards. You don't want polishing gunk or chemicals messing up the finish of the bass, electronics, or worse yet, you.

tabdog · #4 06-06-2011, 07:59 AM

You can buy a Mighty Mite white
pick guard for under $20, and free
shipping,

Tabdog

staindbass · #5 06-06-2011, 08:08 AM

like the mutt mentioned, there are many plastic polishes available at auto parts stores for plastic headlight covers and parts.

staindbass · #6 06-06-2011, 08:11 AM

i would try soaking it in a strong warm water solution with fantastic or 409 for a few hours first. or vinegar.

Designator · #7 06-06-2011, 08:21 AM

Wow, this many replies in just half an hour... Thanks all, I'm going to try the water-vinegar solution first since it's the only thing I've got in the house.

**TheMutt** · #8 06-06-2011, 08:25 AM

I'd suggest doing that outside. Vinegar tends to stink up a room really good (bad?).

Pilgrim · #9 06-06-2011, 08:32 AM

If you're borrowing it, don't change ANYTHING. It's his, not yours.

If he gave it to you, then take the PG off the bass before you mess with it. Some of the ideas above could result in damage to the paint if you get a bit careless.

Designator · #10 06-06-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If you're borrowing it, don't change ANYTHING. It's his, not yours.

If he gave it to you, then take the PG off the bass before you mess with it. Some of the ideas above could result in damage to the paint if you get a bit careless.

Thanks, but he won't mind me cleaning up his bass. I just don't wanna mess things up because, well, it's borrowed.

DMHolman · #11 06-07-2011, 05:04 PM

I use Novus or Island Girl products when I clean/polish plastics depending on what it is. I'm not going to say any particular method is right or wrong, that's for someone else to decide. Just remember that there are a lot of "common sense cleaning" you can do/products you can use that can/will damage the bass's finish/electronics or hinder/prevent repairs that might be need in the future (silicone based polishes for instance).

Personally, I don't use steel wool anywhere near my basses. But if you do, make sure you cover up the pickups really well (I'd use a light adhesion painters tape to encase the pickups). Tiny bits of metal and magnetic pickups don't go well together.

-D

cataract · #12 06-08-2011, 12:30 AM

I don't lend things to people, for fear of them dismantling & soaking my belongings in vinegar based solutions.

slaphappychappy · #13 06-08-2011, 02:13 AM

jump on ebay. i bought a tortoise shell jazz guard for under $10 from china with free postage and it is actually really good. it may take a couple weeks to arrive, but id do that, then sell the other as an aged pickguard, cos some people like that sort of thing.

slaphappychappy · #14 06-08-2011, 02:14 AM

oh, sorry for double post, DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL!!! it will scratch the be-jesus out of it.

Designator · #15 06-08-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cataract

I don't lend things to people, for fear of them dismantling & soaking my belongings in vinegar based solutions.

He doesn't really play bass anymore so I think I am going to end up buying it from him after a while, I just didn't do it immediately because I need to figure out whether playing bass was something for me or not.

Also, my neighbour is a really nice guy so he'll probably give it to me if I suggest buying it. He might charge me something for the amp though because it's not a cheap one...

carl h. · #16 06-08-2011, 07:51 AM

Pay for it before you alter it.

dbhokie · #17 06-08-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaphappychappy

oh, sorry for double post, DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL!!! it will scratch the be-jesus out of it.

0000 steel is perfect to refinish plastic, I have refinished quite a few plastic pieces, and they end up like new, not scratched all up.

The method I described above will give you an unbelievable new plastic sheen that will last quite a while.

I have done it on dirt bikes, atv's, and pickguards now.

Yerf Dog · #18 06-08-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Designator

Thanks, but he won't mind me cleaning up his bass.

Only takes a moment to ask.

slaphappychappy · #19 06-08-2011, 06:35 PM

itd be easier to buy one on ebay .

Spectrum · #20 06-08-2011, 06:41 PM

Noob question here: if he removes the pick guard, does he have to worry about it warping out of shape? I think I was reading about that in another thread about buying pick gaurds that have sat on the shelf for a long time.