tinting a pickguard

[cband7]

Anyone ever hear of a way to slightly tint a pickguard ? I just got the Squier Vintage Modified Thinline (great guitar!) but Fender's idea of 'parchment' looks like "new" parchment, if you get my drift. The color I'm looking for is about like the background on the forum here, sort of a medium cream color. I've been considering tung oil cut with citrus solvent and if necessary a satin or clear coat sprayed over that. I might wind up with a "relic'd" pickguard on a "new" "vintage" Tele. That would put a twist on your head.... :neutral:

Any ideas?

 

[Jack Wells]

ReRanch has something called "Tinted Clear". It could be used to give a light cream cast then clearcoated when you get it like you want it.

 

[Parzival]

I tried all the "secrets of the trade" and they all turned out to be pure bull****...and a giant time-waster. These included soaking the pickguard in dark tea overnight, or soaking it in instant coffee grounds, or rubbing soil on it, or rubbing dampened coffee grounds, and probably a few other tricks that I had forgot.

I wanted to stay away from tinted sprays because, in the end, they do look like a tinted spray on the plastic. However, this is pretty much the best way to do it short of buying a pickguard made with a cream colored plastic. Wich is not feesible for the home relicer like you and I.

That being said, the tinted spray cans work fantastic. The entire process takes approximately ten minutes from start to finish. Just remember, it's not idiot-proof. If you want it to look real you need to use the spray can accordingly.

One hint I can give you is to spray from about 24 inches above the pickguard so you "mist" it rather than actually spray it as directed on the can. Also, to get that "lighter under the strings" look, get a peice of paper or plastic or something and cover the area where the strings go. But the trick is to have this peice of cover about 4 inches over the pickguard. Maybe get a long peice (three feet) and rest it on some board on either side, then put the pickguard under it. Then spray. A little spray will get under the cover, wich is what you want so you don't see a glaring edge where the tint stops.

After you do this, remove the cover and spray again. This method will allow the area under the strings to tint, but not as much as the rest of the pickguard. Giving you that cool and more authentic look.

 

[cband7]

I tried all the "secrets of the trade" and they all turned out to be pure bull****...and a giant time-waster. These included soaking the pickguard in dark tea overnight, or soaking it in instant coffee grounds, or rubbing soil on it, or rubbing dampened coffee grounds, and probably a few other tricks that I had forgot.

Thanks Ed - Good ideas. Since all of my mail goes by air it's nearly impossible to get anything flammable out here. I might have to give up and order one; it's for my Squier Vintage Mod Thinline (and the PG is half the size of a surfboard ). The pic is the cream color offered by Pickguardian; I'm sure there are others out there. Thanks again!

 

[Christmas]

Do you suggest the satin or gloss tinted clear from ReRanch for a pickguard?

 

[boris bubbanov]

Gloss.

Then, if you find it a wee too glossy, you can back it off with a XXXXX or 4000 grit equivalent micromesh pad, or some polishing compound from the auto store.

Remember, you have satin, then semi-gloss, then gloss, then 'hot' gloss finishes.

Chances are the 'gloss' will be just right if you leave it alone.

 

[Christmas]

Gloss.

Then, if you find it a wee too glossy, you can back it off with a XXXXX or 4000 grit equivalent micromesh pad, or some polishing compound from the auto store.

Remember, you have satin, then semi-gloss, then gloss, then 'hot' gloss finishes.

Chances are the 'gloss' will be just right if you leave it alone.

Thanks Boris...gloss it is!

 

[fivenote]

I tried all the "secrets of the trade" and they all turned out to be pure bull****...and a giant time-waster. These included soaking the pickguard in dark tea overnight, or soaking it in instant coffee grounds, or rubbing soil on it, or rubbing dampened coffee grounds, and probably a few other tricks that I had forgot.

I've successfully tinted fender plastic parts (knobs, pickup covers, pickguards) in HOT coffee. I didn't think it would work, but it does. Unlike spraying on a tint, the coffee method is not on the surface, but permanently stained into the plastic.

Soaking overnight is not what works. Instead, make a hot, dark pot of coffee and soak the parts in it. When it cools, the staining stops. Take a look at the resulting shade. If you want darker, microwave the coffee and soak again until it cools. Repeat until it looks right.

 

[cband7]

I've successfully tinted fender plastic parts (knobs, pickup covers, pickguards) in HOT coffee. I didn't think it would work, but it does. Unlike spraying on a tint, the coffee method is not on the surface, but permanently stained into the plastic.

Soaking overnight is not what works. Instead, make a hot, dark pot of coffee and soak the parts in it. When it cools, the staining stops. Take a look at the resulting shade. If you want darker, microwave the coffee and soak again until it cools. Repeat until it looks right.

A "green" organic method! Juan Valdez would be proud (along with Maxwell House and whoever...) I have a bunch of old PG's lying around, I'll try it. Thanks much for the idea! (actually, come to think of it, look what coffee does to our teeth and they're enamel - maybe we should switch to nitro teeth? ) (sorry)

 

[Jack Wells]

Do you suggest the satin or gloss tinted clear from ReRanch for a pickguard?

I would suggest several clear coats over whatever tinted clear you choose to protect the tint layer from wear. Deft makes Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Satin. Priced at roughly half what you'd pay for a ReRanch clear I know which one I'd choose.