Wearing Down Parts

[ZoSo_Spencer]

Hi

Ive been really into the look of worn metal parts like, for example a well played 70's les pauls hardware such an example can be seen at the link below

Jimmy page's #1 Les paul

http://www.themusiczoo.com/JPLP/playersview.jpg

If you can see what i mean - the hardware has a faded, non-shiney old look about it. i know that some places exist where they custom wear out parts for you but i am wondering how to do it myself as it can only be a number of chemicals/sandpaper/elbow-grease so if there is anyone in here that has any tips about how to do this to metal hardware it would be greatly appreciated if you could share them.

[Guest AlexVDL]

Ferric chloride... use a little and even chromed parts will get dull in a matter of seconds. Whipe it off and clean with water. If you don't whipe it off and let it sit for a day, then you can see the chloride is beginning to rust. Great for that relic look

[ZoSo_Spencer]

Thank you.... if been deing to figure that one out..