Anybody do the kiwi shoe polish thing on their BSB?

birv2 · 05-14-2010, 11:07 AM

I'd like the neck to be a little darker, but I don't want to mess it up. Anybody try this? Suggestions?

motoman45 · 05-14-2010, 11:20 AM

wait for it.....

dman · 05-14-2010, 11:48 AM

Pesky's done it and seems to swear by it. Use the search function here and also at Strat-Talk and TDPRI...type in "shoe polish"; you'll come up with a lot of info, mostly positive.

motoman45 · 05-14-2010, 12:01 PM

im sure peskey will chime in on this one....this is his forte

peskypesky · 05-14-2010, 12:36 PM

i've already been surpassed in the Kiwi Method by 1935streetrod.

1935streetrod · 05-14-2010, 12:42 PM

Kiwi brown shoe polish. Pesky taught me. Goes right over the finish without sanding.
Put it on, wait 10 minutes, wipe it off, whala! This is three coats,but you only need one or two.

motoman45 · 05-14-2010, 12:58 PM

and what color polish would one use to obtain such a outstanding finish?

peskypesky · 05-14-2010, 12:58 PM

here's a shot of my Bullet neck as i applied the Kiwi

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motoman45 · 05-14-2010, 12:59 PM

hey street, is that a graphtech nut on the tele?

peskypesky · 05-14-2010, 01:03 PM

here's my Bullet after the first application session

1935streetrod · 05-14-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoman45

and what color polish would one use to obtain such a outstanding finish?

Brown KIWI. I tried tan first, but it doesn't do anything.

And no, it's the black plastic POS that comes on it. Doesn't sound too bad though.

peskypesky · 05-14-2010, 01:34 PM

i used mid-tan Kiwi.

i read on a board that the brown had too much red in it. but 1935streetrod's looks quite good to me.

edandis · 05-14-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peskypesky

i used mid-tan Kiwi.

i read on a board that the brown had too much red in it. but 1935streetrod's looks quite good to me.

I still have a brown Kiwi shoe polish that's at least 5 yrs. old. My question is this, if I apply it is it considered a relic job.

J.A.H · 05-14-2010, 03:39 PM

Then it is a relic job, if the polish is newer it will become a "Vintage Modified"......

J.A.H · 05-14-2010, 03:40 PM

Wonder if they ban you for poor jokes in here ???

motoman45 · 05-14-2010, 03:41 PM

ok, I just ordered a pup and trem block from gfs... when I tear it down, I am going to do the polish thing and see how it does....mid tan....

rompo420 · 05-14-2010, 04:08 PM

i cannot find the mid-tan in my lonely little town. i am going with brown...

rompo420 · 05-14-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1935streetrod

Kiwi brown shoe polish. Pesky taught me. Goes right over the finish without sanding.
Put it on, wait 10 minutes, wipe it off, whala! This is three coats,but you only need one or two.

has it worn off at all?

i had a friend try it and hated it but i think he fibbed about trying it in the first place so that he could brag about his $25.00 reranch tinted lacquer...

1935streetrod · 05-14-2010, 10:14 PM

It hasn't come off or worn off at all. Pesky did his last year and plays it every day and his is still holding up. I gave mine three coats and it had a little bit of a waxy feel on the back of the neck, so I used some wax and grease remover go get rid of it but the tint was unaffected. I did my Affinity Strat neck with one coat only and it looked good without the waxy feel to it.

gouacats · 05-15-2010, 11:09 AM

I got the brown yesterday...when my loaded pickguard from GFS gets here, I'll put it on and post the results.

motoman45 · 05-15-2010, 12:17 PM

wonder if gfs and kiwi is making bank off of all us....

birv2 · 05-15-2010, 12:53 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I did search on TDPRI and here -- looks like it's doable, though I worry about waxy buildup on the neck and how that would affect playability. I'll keep thinking about it, but everyone has given me enough info to make a decision.

dman · 05-15-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birv2

Thanks for all the replies. I did search on TDPRI and here -- looks like it's doable, though I worry about waxy buildup on the neck and how that would affect playability. I'll keep thinking about it, but everyone has given me enough info to make a decision.

Just an alternative ( and I got this from a post by Shades at TDPRI...lest anyone accuse me of having an original thought!). Scuff the poly finish on the neck with a maroon Scotch-Brite pad (I used 320 grit sandpaper...works fine); wipe on a coat of Varathane #218 Traditional Pecan stain (very amber-ish in color). After it's thoroughly dry ( I gave my neck 72 hours...probably overkill), finish with Tru-Oil or Minwax Wipe-on Poly.

I've got one coat of Tru-Oil on; I plan to give six total. So far it looks great and should be very durable. When I'm all done I'll try and post pics.

peskypesky · 05-15-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman

Just an alternative ( and I got this from a post by Shades at TDPRI...lest anyone accuse me of having an original thought!). Scuff the poly finish on the neck with a maroon Scotch-Brite pad (I used 320 grit sandpaper...works fine); wipe on a coat of Varathane #218 Traditional Pecan stain (very amber-ish in color). After it's thoroughly dry ( I gave my neck 72 hours...probably overkill), finish with Tru-Oil or Minwax Wipe-on Poly.

I've got one coat of Tru-Oil on; I plan to give six total. So far it looks great and should be very durable. When I'm all done I'll try and post pics.

that sounds like a plan. i may try that.

Guitarjonz · 05-20-2010, 08:53 AM

Here's a Peavey headstock that I reshaped and tinted with Kiwi Brown, the headstock previously looked the same color as the neck

aritoner · 05-21-2010, 12:20 AM

ok now i am confused this is my first post here...but the question is do i use the liquid one or the one that comes in the little tin if read both but saw the pics just know? hello btw...

dman · 05-21-2010, 12:45 AM

Use the paste wax in the tin.

aritoner · 05-21-2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman

Use the paste wax in the tin.

thank you for the clarification

peskypesky · 11-16-2010, 01:57 AM

my photo links above broke, so here are the photos of my Kiwi'd Bullet again.

Jumbosilverette · 11-16-2010, 02:32 AM

That looks good. Too bad I changed the nut and strings on my Bullet tonight or I would've done the same thing.

Strat-toter · 11-17-2010, 10:05 AM

Looks good fellas. I prefer the Minwax stain and Deft nitro, a lot more work but wonderful results! I am really digging the Deluxe now... YMMV

DrStereo · 11-18-2010, 12:55 AM

Hi all first post...can you put a clear coat over the shoe polish??

AllroyPA · 12-23-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrStereo

Hi all first post...can you put a clear coat over the shoe polish??

i dont think so, it's a wax I think.

dman · 12-23-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman

Just an alternative ( and I got this from a post by Shades at TDPRI...lest anyone accuse me of having an original thought!). Scuff the poly finish on the neck with a maroon Scotch-Brite pad (I used 320 grit sandpaper...works fine); wipe on a coat of Varathane #218 Traditional Pecan stain (very amber-ish in color). After it's thoroughly dry ( I gave my neck 72 hours...probably overkill), finish with Tru-Oil or Minwax Wipe-on Poly.

I've got one coat of Tru-Oil on; I plan to give six total. So far it looks great and should be very durable. When I'm all done I'll try and post pics.

Ok, just a quick update to this... as I built up the Tru-Oil coats, it became more apparent that I did not get the stain on evenly, so I sanded it all back. I'm not saying it can't be done well (Shade's Tele neck looked great), but I was not totally pleased with my results. So, just caveat emptor and YMMV!!

I'm going with adding Transtint to the Tru-Oil, which is not supposed to be compatible, but will mix in if you stir the bejeezus out of it.

Maybe I should just use Kiwi, huh? (Sigh).