How to Relic a Guitar

These days, having a reliced, or aged guitar, has seen to be more preferable to many guitarists, than having the new look. This artical will list a number of easy ways, in which you can achieve this aged look, whilst at the same time saving a lot of money. All of the things you will need are optional.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Naptha [Lighter Fluid]
• Sandpaper
• Steelwool
• Brown/amber analine dye
• A sharp razor blade

1. Now naptha [Lighter fluid], is messy and dangourous stuff to be messing about with so if you use this method, it is advised to wear gloves, and work in a well ventilated room. Once you are ready, apply a hefty amount of the fluid to an old rag, and begin to rub it over the areas of which you desire to be aged. This will break down the polish and laquer of the guitars finish, making it easier for you to carry out the next step.

2. I advise that you lay either news paper, or a cloth down underneath where you are working for this step as it involves sanding down the guitars finish. This is achieved by taking either your sandpaper or steel wool and going over the areas on the guitars body that have been rubbed in lighter fluid. After about ten minutes of solid rubbing the aged areas will be down to bare wood. This is what you want, even though it doesnt look aged yet due to the colour of the wood, which is exactly what the next step is here to solve.

3. Once again, follow the same saftey precautions as in step 1, as using brown/amber analine dye, could get messy, and create fumes. Apply a reasonable amount of brown/amber analine dye to a rag, and begin to rub it on the patches of bare wood that are showing. This will give the wood, a more aged browny orangy colour, of which will look more authentic than leaving the wood blank.

4. Most aged guitars experience a process, which is called 'checking'. To artaficialy achieve this look, many people have reckomended the hot/cold method. I wont go into detail, but i am highly against this as it achieves a false looking affect and takes a lot of time. Instead you can achieve a more real looking checked effect by taking a razor blade and making a few lines, in places where you would find someone has tightened a screw too tight for example. I can assure you that this method is a lot better than the hot/cold method. Surf the net about this if you are still not sure.

5. Finally, you can also easily achieve an aged affect on your pickguard, and hardware. A white pickguard can be left in a basin of tea overnight, and it will turn a murky yellow colour. This is essential for that aged look. Also all the hardware can be aged by being rubbed in chlorine [of which you would put in a pool]. This will slightly rust the metal and give yet again real aged look. All of these step will look great if you do not over do it.

Tips & Warnings

• All things listed can be easily found in most big brand arts and crafts stores.
• Take a look at proffesionals guitars that are reliced for ideas.
• When prompted, take all safety precautions, as things do go wrong!
• Do not over do it, and only apply wearing wear neccessary.

[senseiblackburn]

on 4/7/2009 Hey there..my son and I are trying to relic a MIM Standard Strat. We are having a great time but hit a major roadblock. I made 2 mistakes. 1) I used a 650 grit on the front and scratched it pretty bad....how can I unscratch it? 2) We are using 1500 grit now on the body and neck and just are not making any progress on finding bare wood. Can you help? Thanks [e-mail]