Aging a poly finish guitar

Discussion in 'Tech-Talk' started by squierTony, Nov 10, 2019.

Page 1 of 3
  1. squierTony

    squierTony Dr. Squier

    Age:
    47
    7,592
    Jul 4, 2012
    MAUD Oklahoma
    Has anyone here successfully aged a poly finish? I want to tone down a white SE but absolutely dont want to relic it. I've thought about leaving it in the sunlight but that'll take forever.
     
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    #1
    mb doug, LutherBurger, Las Palmas Norte and 1 other person like this.
  2. dbrian66

    dbrian66 Dr. Squier

    Age:
    50
    6,434
    Jul 14, 2017
    Maryland, USA
    I had this Epiphone that faded nicely into a cream color. I think all you have to do is put it in a hot room in the sunlight for like ten years and smoke at least a pack of cigarettes a day in that same room. Should look great after that! ;)

    FD63C3ED-F5A6-47F5-8315-06AF79A46136.jpeg
     
    dbrian66, Nov 10, 2019
    dbrian66, Nov 10, 2019
    #2
    beagle, mb doug, Mr Bones and 13 others like this.
  3. Guitarmageddon

    Guitarmageddon Dr. Squier

    Age:
    44
    9,351
    Sep 27, 2014
    Windsor, Ontario, Canada
    The beauty of those white rhino SE's IS the starker white, and non off-white or cream color....

    I'd trade for another body....
     
    Guitarmageddon, Nov 10, 2019
    Guitarmageddon, Nov 10, 2019
    #3
    mb doug, JurnyWannaBe and dbrian66 like this.
  4. mkgearhead

    mkgearhead Squier-holic

    Age:
    50
    4,658
    Dec 18, 2009
    Fort Morgan, CO
    Throw it in a tanning booth and see if that works. :p
     
    mkgearhead, Nov 10, 2019
    mkgearhead, Nov 10, 2019
    #4
    radiotech, mb doug, corn and 3 others like this.
  5. squierTony

    squierTony Dr. Squier

    Age:
    47
    7,592
    Jul 4, 2012
    MAUD Oklahoma
    Its just too white for me. Just a couple shades lighter would be great.
     
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    #5
    mb doug and dbrian66 like this.
  6. DrBeGood

    DrBeGood Squier-holic

    4,589
    Dec 9, 2014
    Sutton QC, CANADA
    You can always sand it to give it a satin look. That's what I did with my LP.

    From this
    02.jpg ​

    to that
    2019.jpg ​
     
    DrBeGood, Nov 10, 2019
    DrBeGood, Nov 10, 2019
    #6
    radiotech, mb doug, MrYeats and 1 other person like this.
  7. Las Palmas Norte

    Las Palmas Norte Dr. Squier

    9,266
    Feb 19, 2017
    Republic of Vancouver Island, Canada
    You may have to re-paint and finish to get the look you want. Poly finishes don't age very well.
    I did an "heirloom white" on an SE.


    HL-SE-02.jpg
    HL-SE-03.jpg

    Cheers, Barrie.
     
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    #7
    radiotech, mb doug, cool gouhl and 8 others like this.
  8. brians

    brians Squier-holic

    Age:
    50
    1,371
    Oct 1, 2017
    South Africa
    Aging poly , I don't think it actually happens by natural means [emoji4]
     
    brians, Nov 10, 2019
    brians, Nov 10, 2019
    #8
    mb doug, JurnyWannaBe, MrYeats and 1 other person like this.
  9. surfrodguitar

    surfrodguitar Squier-holic

    3,372
    Aug 4, 2016
    Laguna Niguel
    Submerge in black coffee after lighting high grit sanding?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    surfrodguitar, Nov 10, 2019
    surfrodguitar, Nov 10, 2019
    #9
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  10. Shaytan

    Shaytan Squier-Nut

    Age:
    23
    985
    Apr 10, 2018
    Lisbon, Portugal
    Tie your guitar to the back of your car and drag it around the block, some say that's the secret technique Fender Custom Shop uses...

    [​IMG]
     
    Shaytan, Nov 10, 2019
    Shaytan, Nov 10, 2019
    #10
    Mr Bones, Jmv668, corn and 2 others like this.
  11. squierTony

    squierTony Dr. Squier

    Age:
    47
    7,592
    Jul 4, 2012
    MAUD Oklahoma
    I've refinished a few SEs in the past and really don't want to go that route. I'd rather leave it as is than do a refinish.
     
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    #11
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  12. surfrodguitar

    surfrodguitar Squier-holic

    3,372
    Aug 4, 2016
    Laguna Niguel
    I think it does. My SQ Strat has a lot of discoloring from something, probably sweat.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    surfrodguitar, Nov 10, 2019
    surfrodguitar, Nov 10, 2019
    #12
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  13. Las Palmas Norte

    Las Palmas Norte Dr. Squier

    9,266
    Feb 19, 2017
    Republic of Vancouver Island, Canada
    Quite simply … you have answered your own question.
    Cheers, Barrie.
     
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    #13
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  14. Las Palmas Norte

    Las Palmas Norte Dr. Squier

    9,266
    Feb 19, 2017
    Republic of Vancouver Island, Canada
    What? ... someone can actually sweat that much to age a polyurethane guitar body finish?
    Cheers, Barrie.
     
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    #14
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  15. squierTony

    squierTony Dr. Squier

    Age:
    47
    7,592
    Jul 4, 2012
    MAUD Oklahoma
    Not really... I just said I'd rather leave it like it is than refinish it. I still want to age it just not a refinish.
     
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    #15
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  16. surfrodguitar

    surfrodguitar Squier-holic

    3,372
    Aug 4, 2016
    Laguna Niguel
    This thing has been played hard and put away wet. The poly feels more like nitro.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    surfrodguitar, Nov 10, 2019
    surfrodguitar, Nov 10, 2019
    #16
    mb doug, MrYeats, dbrian66 and 1 other person like this.
  17. Las Palmas Norte

    Las Palmas Norte Dr. Squier

    9,266
    Feb 19, 2017
    Republic of Vancouver Island, Canada
    OK … pics!:D
    Cheers, Barrie.
     
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    #17
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  18. Las Palmas Norte

    Las Palmas Norte Dr. Squier

    9,266
    Feb 19, 2017
    Republic of Vancouver Island, Canada
    Fine. Let it sit on a guitar stand for 20 years at a sunny window or refinish. So ya … really!;)
    Cheers, Barrie.
     
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    #18
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  19. squierTony

    squierTony Dr. Squier

    Age:
    47
    7,592
    Jul 4, 2012
    MAUD Oklahoma
    Ok so here's the original question in the first post in the thread. Nothing to
    do what your trying to get at..

    "Has anyone here successfully aged a poly finish? "
     
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    squierTony, Nov 10, 2019
    #19
    mb doug, MrYeats and dbrian66 like this.
  20. Las Palmas Norte

    Las Palmas Norte Dr. Squier

    9,266
    Feb 19, 2017
    Republic of Vancouver Island, Canada
    Well you have all kinds of answers from … a tanning booth, dragging it behind a truck, soaking it in black coffee, lots of sweat, or just simply time or refinishing.
    Take your pick or wait for a miracle answer. I'd love to hear a solution from someone, to a question that's eluded hobbyists since ploy finishes where offered.
    Cheers, Barrie.
     
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    Las Palmas Norte, Nov 10, 2019
    #20
    mb doug, dbrian66 and MrYeats like this.
Page 1 of 3