Yellowing of white

[4001]

A question was asked of me and I did not have an answer.
I was asked if a guitar that was originally white that has yellowed over time, can be placed in front of a window that faces the sun help in "bleaching" the yellowed white finish back to white?
Maybe expossure for a week or two might help??

I'm not sure.

So I ask here......

[202dy]

No. It will have the opposite effect. The guitar turned yellow because of UV rays from sunlight reacting with the finish. So setting it in the sunlight will only deepen the yellow.

[4001]

Originally Posted by 202dy

No. It will have the opposite effect. The guitar turned yellow because of UV rays from sunlight reacting with the finish. So setting it in the sunlight will only deepen the yellow.

That makes sense.

See, I leave all my basses in their cases when I'm not using them or if not they aren't in ANY sunlight.

Ok, thanks.



Good song lyric?? Talk bass forums tune?

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by 202dy

No. It will have the opposite effect. The guitar turned yellow because of UV rays from sunlight reacting with the finish. So setting it in the sunlight will only deepen the yellow.

Yep

[SurferJoe46]

Most people LIKE the yellow.

I dislike trashed gear: RW and relic'd are a big turn-off to me, but you've got a good thing going here with the UV-burn and I for one, would like to accelerate it on my gear.

Like fine wine, cheese and kim chi, you're onto something good methinks.

[Steveaux]

Originally Posted by 4001

That makes sense.

See, I leave all my basses in their cases when I'm not using them or if not they aren't in ANY sunlight.

Ok, thanks.



Good song lyric?? Talk bass forums tune?

Most finishes will yellow over time, even in the dark.

The second component in the yellowing process is oxygen. The finish will oxidize. By keeping your basses in the dark, you're slowing the process ... but not stopping it.

[HeadyVan Halen]

Brush 2x daily, listerine.

[SurferJoe46]

Most UV gets blocked by common window glass anyway - although infrared gets through OK.

So leaving the bass in the sun that's coming through a window won't bleach it white again but it will heat it up somewhat.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Most UV gets blocked by common window glass anyway - although infrared gets through OK.

So leaving the bass in the sun that's coming through a window won't bleach it white again but it will heat it up somewhat.

Glass will partially block UV-B. That helps somewhat. It transmits UV-A quite efficiently. It is UV-A that causes the most harm to colors and lacquers.

Leaving the bass in the sun will deepen the yellowing effect.

[SurferJoe46]

Not totally sure about that since I just had new windows installed and they said they block 99% of all UV rays.

Maybe special glass - but I don't think so. Dual pane, yes - but nothing else is different.

[202dy]

If that is the claim, there is a special coating on the glass.