Fading of poly...

[Telemarkman]

I've noticed that my MIM '60s Classic in Olympic White (2004 model) isn't as white as some others, more of a creamy white color, though not as yellow as the Vintage White. This is OK with me, because I've changed the pickguard to an all-white 1-ply one, and I like the slight contrast between the body and p/g.

But when I removed the p/g today (to clean and polish the guitar), I noticed that the color underneath the p/g was slightly more yellow than the exposed areas. (It wasn't so when I bought it new a little over a year ago).

I never keep it in a case or bag, and it's sometimes exposed to direct sunlight - no smoke though.

I'd have thought this would've yellowed the poly slightly, but the opposite is really the case here - it has indeed faded toward a whiter shade. (Either that or the non-exposed area has yellowed !)

Has anyone else had a similar experience with white poly finishes ?

Maybe they've put some UV resistant stuff in the poly lately ? I'm almost sure the poly finishes of the '70s and '80s yellowed over the years. Not like nitro, but still......

[Twang Tone]

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

But when I removed the p/g today (to clean and polish the guitar), I noticed that the color underneath the p/g was slightly more yellow than the exposed areas.

Shouldn't that be the other way round? I mean, the unexposed areas should be lighter than the exposed areas?

My friend's got a 1991 MIJ '62 re-issue Strat in Oly White - we've noticed that in the time he's owned it, the White on the exposed areas of the poly covered body has mellowed to an almost Vintage White hue, while under the 'guard, it's still pretty much Oly white.

Thanks,

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by Twang Tone

Shouldn't that be the other way round? I mean, the unexposed areas should be lighter than the exposed areas?

I check on this from time to time, and I've never noticed a difference before today. I definitely expected the exposed areas to yellow, but the opposite has happened.

I really don't mind either way, but I was a bit surprised, to say the least.

[FredDairy]

Weird, I was hoping my oly white 60s classic would yellow. I put a 1 ply white guard on mine too and it's still TOO white! You've given me nothing to live for anymore.

[tiktok]

I have an American Standard Strat from '86 which was pure white when I bought it, and has yellowed over time. A friend of mine had this buttermilk color '78 Strat that he'd bought new, and some time in the '90's I saw a picture of him in his high school band playing a white Strat. "What happened to that guitar?" I asked, and he pointed to the buttermilk one.

[gtrwrks]

My Oly Wht MIM 60's Classic has 'darkened' as opposed to the color under the 'guard - I wouldn't say that it's 'yellowed', but it is definitely a darker color.

I don't smoke at home (at all, I mean), but gig a lot in clubs. At home it stays on a gtr stand in my practice/music room; lots of windows/natural light in that room, but no direct sun on the gtr.

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by FredDairy

You've given me nothing to live for anymore.

I really am sorry......I didn't mean to do it

It's obvious that it's hard to predict exactly what's gonna happen to the color over a period of time, as we all have different experiences.

[Five Finger Fender Fiend]

You've given me nothing to live for anymore.

That was soo funny...