Tarnishing Nickel Hardware

[krfoss]

I keep finding relic job videos for closed gear tuning machines, so I figured I'd ask you fine folks.

I'm thinking of doing a light relic job on my Gotoh GB640 tuning machines for my '83 fender P. I put the new ones on but they stand out a bit too much given the wear of the rest of it.

How would you all recommend I go about putting a light antique look on these? Ive seen light grain sand paper followed by some acid and let sit for a while, but would petition your expertise before I destroy my tuning pegs.

Thanks in advnace!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

According to this Banjo thread, vinegar will work. I'd be wary of any abrasive on it, I think that will just cut through the nickel and look contrived.
Best way to give new nickel an old patina look ? - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout.

 

[Drredplate]

I have used ferric chloride successfully to dull down nickel
Ferric chloride solution can be purchased as PCB etching solution.

 

[krfoss]

I have used ferric chloride successfully to dull down nickel
Ferric chloride solution can be purchased as PCB etching solution.

I was just reading up on this. do you do direct contact or let it sit with the fumes? I was thinking of just aging the parts that you can see, but trying to leave the gears untouched as to not effect their function if I can. To this end, dabbing it with a q-tip may be more precise. Thoughts?

 

[Drredplate]

I was just reading up on this. do you do direct contact or let it sit with the fumes? I was thinking of just aging the parts that you can see, but trying to leave the gears untouched as to not effect their function if I can. To this end, dabbing it with a q-tip may be more precise. Thoughts?

I degrease the items first and then use a cotton bud to massage the areas to be dulled. You can also soak the item but it will be a bit more brutal

 

[krfoss]

I degrease the items first and then use a cotton bud to massage the areas to be dulled. You can also soak the item but it will be a bit more brutal

I imagine the rubbing is only done for a few seconds? also, do you then just rinse the item with water, or water/ baking soda mix?

 

[Drredplate]

Don’t let Ferric chloride anywhere near brass or copper.
It takes more than a few seconds so is quite controllable. You just rinse with excess water when you’re done

 

[krfoss]

Don’t let Ferric chloride anywhere near brass or copper.
It takes more than a few seconds so is quite controllable. You just rinse with excess water when you’re done

I'll give it a go and see what I come up with. I'll also try to take some pictures for future people. Thanks so much.

 

[Drredplate]

Nickel pickup covers dulled using cotton bud

 

[krfoss]

View attachment 5071967 View attachment 5071967 Nickel pickup covers dulled using cotton bud

Yup, thats what I'm looking for. Maybe a little less, but in that direction. How long was the cotton contact with the covers to create this look?

 

[Drredplate]

Yup, thats what I'm looking for. Maybe a little less, but in that direction. How long was the cotton contact with the covers to create this look?

Difficult to remember how long and I didn’t time myself but probably in the region of about 5 to 10 minutes of constant swirling and refreshing of cotton bud. Give it a try and get the feel of it. It’s quite easy to wipe the part off and see how you’re getting on

 

[krfoss]

Difficult to remember how long and I didn’t time myself but probably in the region of about 5 to 10 minutes of constant swirling and refreshing of cotton bud. Give it a try and get the feel of it. It’s quite easy to wipe the part off and see how you’re getting on

Thanks so much. Yah, my fear takes me in the direction that if I apply this stuff for 2-3 seconds nothing will happen, but suddenly from 4-5 seconds the item dissolves and is a useless piece of junk. Sounds like there is a lot of time to back out and evaluate the progress.

 

[fretno]

Nickel oxidation happens very quickly just give it a few weeks and you’ll see a difference.

 

[Drredplate]

Thanks so much. Yah, my fear takes me in the direction that if I apply this stuff for 2-3 seconds nothing will happen, but suddenly from 4-5 seconds the item dissolves and is a useless piece of junk. Sounds like there is a lot of time to back out and evaluate the progress.

Those pickups are solid nickel covers hand wound with long Alnico 2 magnets. Done to 59 spec (as it’s a replica of Paul Kossofs 59) so not cheap items but I was confident enough with the process to treat them. There is probably other methods but I find Ferric chloride as good balance between speed and control. You will be fine!!

 

[Grinderman]

I keep finding relic job videos for closed gear tuning machines, so I figured I'd ask you fine folks.

I'm thinking of doing a light relic job on my Gotoh GB640 tuning machines for my '83 fender P. I put the new ones on but they stand out a bit too much given the wear of the rest of it.

How would you all recommend I go about putting a light antique look on these? Ive seen light grain sand paper followed by some acid and let sit for a while, but would petition your expertise before I destroy my tuning pegs.

Thanks in advnace!

I've treated a few sets of nickel Gotoh GBR640 machines.

I don't sand; I don't recommend it.

Distilled white vinegar works very well and it's easy to control because it's not super fast or aggressive. Dip the parts in vinegar then put them, still wet with the vinegar, in a sealable plastic container; leave them in there for several hours, if not overnight. Touching and grasping the parts a bit while wet or damp with the vinegar can help make the application turn out more natural looking. Repeat until you're satisfied. I prefer restraint with this, not overkill.

You can also try combining vinegar and ferric chloride if you want a bit more aggressive treatment. Spot application of ferric chloride after the initial vinegar treatment. Q-tips work well for spot applications.

 

[stevensivak]

Lots of parts that need to be "aged" are chromium plated I believe... does this chemical work on chrome also?

 

[krfoss]

I've treated a few sets of nickel Gotoh GBR640 machines.

I don't sand; I don't recommend it.

Distilled white vinegar works very well and it's easy to control because it's not super fast or aggressive. Dip the parts in vinegar then put them still wet the vinegar in a sealable plastic container; leave them in there for several hours, if not overnight. Touching and grasping the parts a bit while wet or damp with the vinegar can help make the application turn out more natural looking. Repeat until you're satisfied. I prefer restraint with this, not overkill.

You can also try combining vinegar and ferric chloride if you want a bit more aggressive treatment. Spot application of ferric chloride after the initial vinegar treatment. Q-tips work well for spot applications.

View attachment 5072193

Does dipping them entirely in the vinegar effect the function of the tuners? I'd worry about the gear teeth getting messed up.

 

[stevensivak]

It's a surface cosmetic treatment- hard to imagine gears would be destroyed or even affected....

 

[Grinderman]

Some more examples.

 

[Grinderman]

Does dipping them entirely in the vinegar effect the function of the tuners? I'd worry about the gear teeth getting messed up.

No, but I do lube the gears once after. You could use wax. I prefer a drop of Tri-Flow which is a high quality bicycle chain lube.