• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How to age a white pickguard?

#21
bassman314 said:
ok.. I'll be serious then.

when I was in college (Plastics Engineering major) We had a device that accellerated the aging of plastic materials by enclosing them in a container and exposing them to direct and high-levles of UB radiation and humidity. You could set how much of each and for how long over the course of a "day". You could age a sample about a year in the course of a week.

You probably don't have access to such a device, however if you have access to a UV lamp, you could leave it in warm water (change it every now and again) under UV light and it may help.
Click to expand...

Whoa, that's f'n hardcore! I like it...
 
#22
Spinal Tapper said:
+1 it's really annoying.
Click to expand...

Yes it is...
really annoying...
also because I already stated that I'm going to buy a tort one, so instead of putting the white one into the trash can, why can't I try to make it look better whitout having all that useless sarcasm?
(and thanks debassr)

-sometimes I think people use the head only to separate the ears... :rolleyes:

I really would like to know how ibanezcollector did it but unfortunately he removed his relic tutorial...
 
#24
Ps: I'm not going to make a relic bass at all, I just want to make the pg a little more creamy, because as it is, it looks ugly, at least to me.
CIMG2763.jpg
 
#26
debassr said:
I just want to let all of you who feel the need to keep stating the obvious fact that waiting 30 years will make it look old will result in me reporting your posts to the mods.

I'm not going to say don't do it, since I'm not a mod and I hate when folks try to police TB as if they were - but rest assured, I will use the report function for every post that is not directly helpful to the original question.
Click to expand...


:hmm:
 
#27
Now that I am thinking about it...

I have never tried this, but I don't see why it wouldn't work...

test it on the back of the PG first.

DO THIS OUTSIDE!!!! DO NOT DO THIS IN AN ENCLOSED AREA! IF POSSIBLE, USE FORCED VENTILATION! DO NOT BREATHE THE FUMES DIRECTLY.

Take a torch. Like a propane torch used for melting solder for plumbing? anything that gives you a good, hot blue flame. Don't use a cutting torch, welding torch, etc.

Quickly pass it over the surface of the PG. Close enough that the tip contacts the PG. Move the flame around quickly, so that no one section is exposed to the flame more than others at any given moment. Over time, the plastic will degrade darken. Aging is pretty much degdredation, so if you are patient, you can probably get this to work. Again, move the flame quickly so that you don't burn the PG. you just want to cook the surface of it.
 
#28
bassman314 said:
Now that I am thinking about it...

I have never tried this, but I don't see why it wouldn't work...

test it on the back of the PG first.

DO THIS OUTSIDE!!!! DO NOT DO THIS IN AN ENCLOSED AREA! IF POSSIBLE, USE FORCED VENTILATION! DO NOT BREATHE THE FUMES DIRECTLY.

Take a torch. Like a propane torch used for melting solder for plumbing? anything that gives you a good, hot blue flame. Don't use a cutting torch, welding torch, etc.

Quickly pass it over the surface of the PG. Close enough that the tip contacts the PG. Move the flame around quickly, so that no one section is exposed to the flame more than others at any given moment. Over time, the plastic will degrade darken. Aging is pretty much degdredation, so if you are patient, you can probably get this to work. Again, move the flame quickly so that you don't burn the PG. you just want to cook the surface of it.
Click to expand...

I tried that with my lighter on my couch...then i almost burned the pickguard so I got scared and stopped :p
 
#34
I've had some succes with UV light sources although most of the "blacklight" bulbs that you have access to are filtered for safety.
There is a device called a magnuflux machine that is used (in conjunction with a huge electromagnet and fluid with iron particles) to find cracks in steel and cast iron automotive parts. The unit we had said to use eye protection and it definetaly changed the look of some plastics; not sure if this was the type of aging that occurs with time but suspect it's going to be the most praticle.
Also have heard thay the presence of high arcing voltages would do the same. My friend Cesar Diaz (now deceased amp guru) was telling me about some experiments with a fish tank and a super high voltage fly back transformer as well as using a neon sign transformer; I don't remember the details or if it worked that well. Also have seen that plastic that is sometimes near old motors becomes aged; can't say if it was coincidence, arcing of old fashined armatures, or the argon and ozone that these motors produce.
I do have a tank of argon / CO2 mix for my MIG welder; one of these days I'll have to try an experiment. Any body know exactly what type of plastic is being used for pickgaurds or have a small sample to test with?
 
#37
Interesting article but one would think that the stain over the pickgaurd would not penetrate the pcikgaurd more than a few thousandths of an inch and would be prone to being scratched off.
I think when plastic yellows (vinyl siding, polyurethane on hardwood floors, or old pickgaurds) is more of a matter of ultrviolet aging that has a much deaper effect than just on the top of the surface.
.02
 
#40
Spinal Tapper said:
Oh yeah, that guy's turned out nice - whatd he use? Fabric dye, right?
Click to expand...

Looks interesting:

Here's the best way I have found. First gently rough up the guard with very fine sandpaper or a fine scotchbrite pad. Get some RIT fabric dyes from WalMart or whatever you have across the pond, its easy to find here in the US. I use a mixture of dark green, yellow and brown, weighted heavily towards the green. Mix it in a shallow pan large enough to submerge the pickguard. Slip the pg in and shove it into the oven at 200 degrees (thats degrees F, are your ovens metric?) for about 25-30 minutes. You can check it periodically until you get the color you like. Make sure to rinse thoroughly when you are checking because most of the color will rinse off. The goal here is to end up with a nice looking mint green color. Next, mix yourself up some of the yellow powder with a little water. A thick liquid consistency is perfect, you want it almost a paste. Take a cloth and rub the yellow (which should look dark orange) around in key areas of the guard. Look at some pictures of old guards for guidance. Wipe a little on and then wipe it back off, repeating if necessary, until you are satisfied with the look. Here is one I just finished. Don't shoot, I know it is a strat, its all I had around at the moment. It started as an ordinary MIM bright white guard.
Click to expand...

Invalid Link Removed

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p302/demillso/IMG_3641bg.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back