Is there any way to get rid of yellowing?

FrknPuertoRican · #1 05-03-2009, 01:24 PM

I bought a 73 white rick, and I was wondering if there was a way to get rid of the yellowing without getting it refurbished. If it truly has to yellow I want it to yellow with me, not inherit someone else's yellowing.

Crazyeelboy · #2 05-03-2009, 01:27 PM

I bought a 1974 white Rick 4001 in 1978 and it was already yellowed to some degree. It hasn't gotten much worse, though. Personally, I think it adds character and would not whiten it if I could.

FrknPuertoRican · #3 05-03-2009, 01:29 PM

That's thing man. I feel like it has it's old owner's character and not mine. I don't know I guess I'm just weird that way.

lowendgenerator · #4 05-03-2009, 01:32 PM

UV treatment maybe? Try some whitening toothpaste? A refin is your best bet, but also them most expensive.

FrknPuertoRican · #5 05-03-2009, 01:34 PM

Haha toothpaste! I never thought of that. I guess in a way yellowing is kinda like plaque. I think I'll actually give that a shot. The thing is that if I get a refin, I might end up changing the color all together.

pedro · #6 05-03-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrknPuertoRican

Haha toothpaste! I never thought of that. I guess in a way yellowing is kinda like plaque. I think I'll actually give that a shot. The thing is that if I get a refin, I might end up changing the color all together.

To each their own but personally I would not recommend refinishing as I would imagine it would seriously affect the re-sale collector value. And FWIW, I personally think the yellow ads a lot of mojo to the bass.

depalm · #7 05-03-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrknPuertoRican

I bought a 73 white rick, and I was wondering if there was a way to get rid of the yellowing without getting it refurbished. If it truly has to yellow I want it to yellow with me, not inherit someone else's yellowing.

The bass does not yellow with you or someone else, it does it with time. It is part of the instrument history and you should not try to erase it.

That's what many people call "MOJO". There are tons of guys out there that would love to have a real and naturally aged instrument.

That's why old gear prices has increased like crazy on the last few years, and a whole new industry has raised.

Relics are now very hype and people are shelling out big money just to show up with a fake vintage guitar.

So if I were you I'd not complain about a 73 yellowish Rick. Instead I'd keep it and maintain in nicely working condition for years to come.

If you want a shiny new bass buy new.

Besides that I would not recommend anyone to mess with a vintage finishing unless you know exactly what you're doing. It requires experience and you can ruin your bass.

Take it to a good repairman and ask how he/she could help.

2 cents

best

BurningSkies · #8 05-03-2009, 08:52 PM

The yellowing is discoloration in the clearcoat and there's no way to reverse it. It just happens!

billoetjen · #9 05-03-2009, 09:00 PM

This is the goofiest thread I've seen yet. It's a joke, right?

Vakmere · #10 05-03-2009, 09:05 PM

My Smith is fairly yellowed, aged to perfection .

Pilgrim · #11 05-03-2009, 09:11 PM

You can't be serious.

This is simply a result of time passing. It's a feature, not a bug.

Jjango · #12 05-04-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

UV treatment maybe?

Actually, UV exposure would make it more yellow!

JLS · #13 05-04-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrknPuertoRican

I bought a 73 white rick, and I was wondering if there was a way to get rid of the yellowing without getting it refurbished. If it truly has to yellow I want it to yellow with me, not inherit someone else's yellowing.

It will cost a small fortune, destroy any collectability, but, boy, it'll be white!

(You've got to be kidding...)

Buskman · #14 05-04-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

If you want a shiny new bass buy new.

'Nuff said.

spideyjg · #15 05-04-2009, 01:31 PM

You can get the Fender cleaning products made by Meguiars which do an excellent job of cleaning and will remove surface gunk.

I had a G&L Lynx arrive that was damn funky and perhaps not cleaned in years and those products really helped.

Beyond that the color changes cannot be undone.

Just clean off the gunk from the prior user and play the hell out of it.

Jim

FrknPuertoRican · #16 05-04-2009, 01:35 PM

I will do nothing to my bass. I thought on it and it would be dumb to do anything.

pedro · #17 05-04-2009, 02:35 PM

Whew!!

Buskman · #18 05-04-2009, 02:50 PM

Show's over, folks. Thanks for coming out! Get home safely!

thudstaff23 · #19 05-04-2009, 02:55 PM

Dude, if you put toothpaste on that bass, you deserve to be shackled and flogged repeatedly. My .02.

FrknPuertoRican · #20 05-04-2009, 03:07 PM

I was kidding bro. Even I am smart enough not to o that