How to Age Nickel Chrome Guitar Parts
Road-worn guitars, instruments that look like they have spent years on tour, are becoming fashionable. Most major guitar manufacturers produce distressed versions of their popular models, often replicating the wear and tear of iconic guitars like Eric Clapton's "Blackie." With the right tools, you can reproduce a similar effect yourself, but getting that antique look on the hardware requires a little more care and attention.
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Things You'll Need
- Phillips and flat-head screwdriver
- Sandpaper, 2,000-grit
- Muriatic acid
- Large plastic or metal bucket with lid
- Small plastic or glass bowl
- Safety goggles and gloves
- WD-40
Instructions
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Strip the guitar of its strings and all its hardware. It's unwise to artificially age the bridge and any tremolo parts such as the springs. Chrome-plated pick-up covers can be treated, but only if they can be removed from the pick-up coil itself. If the covers are firmly attached to the pick-up coil, set the whole unit aside.
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Strike all the other pieces of hardware on a rough concrete surface to make some random impact damage, but don't overdo this and cause irreparable damage to any vital component. Roughen all the components with 2,000-grit sandpaper a few times to break up the chrome finish.
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Pour the muriatic acid into the small bowl very carefully. Wear the protective gloves and goggles at this stage, and wear a long-sleeved top to cover your bare arms. Place it inside the large bucket and then lay the prepared pieces of hardware around the base of the bucket. Cover the bucket and leave for anywhere between an hour and 48 hours to allow the acid fumes to get to work. Check the hardware from time to time to see how the process is progressing.
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Remove the hardware from the bucket when it has aged to your satisfaction, then submerge them in fresh water to remove any traces of acid. Remove from the water and lay them out on an old towel. Spray with WD-40 and let them dry thoroughly. Carefully pour the acid back in to its original container and store in a safe place away from children.
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Buff the hardware with a cloth one last time before fixing them back onto the guitar. The finish may be a little flaky so don't rub too hard at this stage.
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Tips & Warnings
Acid can be extremely dangerous. Always wear gloves and goggles and use only in a well-ventilated space away from animals and children.
References
- Photo Credit Polka Dot RF/Polka Dot/Getty Images
