Dave Scepter Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Anybody know how to Relic Chrome pickup covers?.. I have a older guitar and replacing newer Chrome covered pickups & want to try to match existing patina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveL Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Hi, can you verify... is it actually chrome, or is it nickel? Both can be relic'd although chrome is more durable so you have to distress it first. I use ferric chloride (aka pcb etchant)... It's kind of nasty to work with however, if you're careful (gloves, good ventillation, etc) it can be done safely... Nickel is easier to age, and I prefer the way it looks... I know there are some youtube tutorials on aging covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Scepter Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share Posted April 5, 2021 27 minutes ago, DaveL said: Hi, can you verify... is it actually chrome, or is it nickel? Ah good call Dave... I just checked and in fact it is nickel... do you use ferric chloride for nickel? Actually now that I have the pickups in hand, the natural nickel doesn't look as bad as I imagined in my head... I think I'll just use these as is 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveL Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 30 minutes ago, Dave Scepter said: Ah good call Dave... I just checked and in fact it is nickel... do you use ferric chloride for nickel? Actually now that I have the pickups in hand, the natural nickel doesn't look as bad as I imagined in my head... I think I'll just use these as is 😂 Yes... ferric chloride works nice on nickel... vinegar fumes also works well on nickel (definitely use gloves and wipe with naptha etc to avoid fingerprints) but agree, if the natural nickel looks good as is, good to avoid that rabbithole... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff R Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Chrome Thinline Reissue hardware mixed with PCB etching solution ... https://www.facebook.com/TheFretShack/posts/1630006727301505 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtrdaddy Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Ick. Why oh why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff R Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Because in proper context, it makes complete sense and looks good to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Scepter Posted April 5, 2021 Author Share Posted April 5, 2021 2 hours ago, Jeff R said: Chrome Thinline Reissue hardware mixed with PCB etching solution ... https://www.facebook.com/TheFretShack/posts/1630006727301505 Hey Jeff, how long did you leave it in the solution for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff R Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Zero ... I don't put it in the solution, I paint the etching solution onto the hardware with a brush, using one ply of facial tissue to hold the liquid against the surfaces we're trying to pit and rust. I learned from a video I watched on YouTube a while ago. There are a lot more from which to pick now, which is good because I can't seem to find the one I used. I remember I painted the stuff on, waited about 10 minutes and lifted the tissue to check. I think I had a bowl of water handy to neutralize things when I was satified with the aging. If you don't, I think it keeps on rusting and corroding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 5 hours ago, Jeff R said: Because in proper context, it makes complete sense and looks good to boot. Oh, god. I love that. If it had p90’s it would be perfect.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamerhead Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 19 hours ago, gtrdaddy said: Ick. Why oh why? My thoughts exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Scepter Posted April 6, 2021 Author Share Posted April 6, 2021 19 hours ago, gtrdaddy said: Ick. Why oh why? Because brand new pickups on a old guitar just doesn't look quite right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtrdaddy Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 1 hour ago, Dave Scepter said: Because brand new pickups on a old guitar just doesn't look quite right New guitar. New pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff R Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 19 hours ago, Travis said: Oh, god. I love that. If it had p90’s it would be perfect.... Those WRHs are a very special hand-wound FeCrCo threaded rod magnet recipe. The guitar IS perfect just like it is, I promise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 3 minutes ago, Jeff R said: Those WRHs are a very special hand-wound FeCrCo threaded rod magnet recipe. The guitar IS perfect just like it is, I promise. I will defer to you, my good man. Even better if the neck is FAT... 🤤 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Dave Scepter
Anybody know how to Relic Chrome pickup covers?.. I have a older guitar and replacing newer Chrome covered pickups & want to try to match existing patina
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