EMG pickup help

[Jishery]

Hello everyone I was really hoping you guys could tell me how to make an emg pickup look old and relic it. Mainly just making the emg logo darker or off completely, without damaging the pickup itself it would be very appreciated thank you !! 

[Bizman62]

It would help if we knew which model is in question. It makes a whole lot of difference if we're talking about the solid plastic box, the same with polepieces or a chrome one.

Basically taking the cover off for relicing would be the safest way but as I just learned EMG covers are permanently attached with epoxy.  Thus non-magnetic abrasives are the only option. And maybe Airfix glue (or rather the solvent within - acetone?) as well as it melts some plastics. I'm very hesitant about anything like that.

If the white logo is the most irritating thing there, a black Sharpie might do the trick. For a more authentic aging using yellow and/or orange or even brown for fake patina might also work. Note that it goes off with alcohol which doesn't harm the plastic so it's a safe alternative.

[Jishery]

So to be safe simple rubbing alcohol should do the trick ?

[Jishery]

And it is the plain black emg 81/81 set

[Bizman62]

4 minutes ago, Jishery said:

So to be safe simple rubbing alcohol should do the trick ?

That may not take the paint away. What I meant is that alcohol will take the Sharpie away should you ever want to restore the original look. A dark brown Sharpie might be the simplest one touch trick, making the white logo look like mostly worn out with a lot of grime.

Acetone might work on the paint but it could also melt the plastic deeper than you would like. A cotton swab for applying any solvent and a bowl of water and a bunch of tissues and clean swabs to dilute and wipe the solvent off. I repeat, I'm hesitant about methods that will change the surface structure.

[Jishery]

Ahhh I see what you meant lol and alright I’ll have to try the sharpie trick thank you for your help !