CT Dude Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 Hello all...I'm seeking suggestions/advice as to how I might age a white Telecaster pickguard to an ivory / parchment /yellowed patina that looks like a 30 year old guard that's survived late night gigs and heavy smoke-filled bars. I've heard of marinating it in a vat of coffee/tea or chewing tobacco. I have also heard of spraying it with a tinted lacquer from ReRanch. I'm open to suggestions and welcome your input! Thanks! CT Dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butnut Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 Wassup man. I'm a big fan of Kiwi brown shoe polish. Wipe the guard with alcohol to remove any wax etc. Rub the Kiwi on evenly, let it set and rub off. Do it a few times and it will get that smokers tan. Final rub well with a white cloth to make sure it's all off. It even works on poly. If it rubs off in spots, reapply and wipe off...eventually will 'stain' the plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwantnewpickups Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 why not just blow smoke onto it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Litchfield Custom Gutars Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 Cuz it would take forever. I do blow smoke into clear coats on necks and occasionally bodies to acheive a tint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 Ain't that a bit dangerous? I mean, the clear coat sis not dry when you do that, I take it. Have to watch where you put that cigarette if you don't want a nice maple torch, eh? On the original topic, I've heard about that tea/coffee/tobacco thing, too and I think that's what I'd do if I'd have parts to age. I mean, it stains teeth big time so it should work on pickguards ;-) so long ace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Litchfield Custom Gutars Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 I do while spraying. If I werent careful, I would be the torch. But a ciggie doesnt burn that hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strabo Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 You could roughen up the guard with some wire wool or kitchen scourer where you might reasonably expect pickwear (less is more here, in my opinion!), and use instant coffee rather than the gourmet stuff (Pulp Fiction is quite wrong!), and lots of it; some people add a (SMALL) amount of green food dye into the mix to simulate that 'greening' with age. Be prepared for it to take a while (I had a strat guard in an oven tray in the bottom of the oven for a week - I only cook in the microwave..). the strat pickguard discoloured a treat, and actually looks older and more "authentic" than the original guard on my 76 - go figure. Check the progress periodically if you're the kind of person who worries if they have left the iron on.. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotrock Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 Hello Strabo Welcome to the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weezerboy Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 hey butnut....when you do this on a body do you still scuff..and i assume that it doesn't come off or do you clear over it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strabo Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 Thanks hot rock - just found this site from the Fender Discussion Page, right up my street. Weez - if you go into a bar and ask the bar staff for a "Double Entendre", they will probably give you one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckguitarist Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 i've tried tea/coffee. it didn't work. I rubbed my fingers on the bbq grill (it wasn't on obviously) and then rubbed that stuff on my pickguard. Looks good, and my guitar smelled like bbq sauce for a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted November 17, 2003 Report Share Posted November 17, 2003 I'd be licking it off as soon as I had it on I fear...I can't put my guitar down even now, imagine if it would also smell like food. so long ace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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