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Post by geo on Sept 5, 2012 23:57:26 GMT -5
I have a white Stratocaster pickguard I need to dye black. I can't just go out and buy a new pickguard because this one was painstakingly dremeled for a custom wiring job with some very exact measurements.
I heard about Rit dye and people suggested using that, so I took the back piece and stuck it in the oven to give that a shot... No dice. The piece has been in and out for the past four hours and it's a light coffee color.
Any suggestions?
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Post by cynical1 on Sept 6, 2012 11:50:17 GMT -5
Plastic is normally dyed in the conversion process. Trying to dye it after the fact can be problematic, as the good dyes are normally solvent based, and depending on exactly what type of plastic you are attempting to dye you will either color it or melt it.
Normally I just replace the pickguard, as the cost of new is generally always cheaper then reworking an old one. You can always use the old pickguard as a template. However, if you have extensive rework I can understand why you are hesitant to do it all over again. What you have to answer is will the rework be more labor intensive then modifying a new pickguard.
My first thought is to add another ply to it, black in your case. Most industrial plastic suppliers will sell cutoff or scrap sheets of thin colored plastic for cheap. If you have one in your area a trip at lunchtime, or a phone call may just do the trick. Just ask for black PVC sheet material. You can then use just about any PVC cement out there. Just be VERY SPARING applying said glue as you don't want to use any more adhesive than necessary to achieve a solid bond.
Stew Mac and LMII also sell pickguard blanks. You're paying for special cutting, but that might do the trick.
Granted, you'll have to do some gluing and recutting on the top laminate sheet, but this is still easier then a complete rework. It will also look much better than the dye job, as it appears you've already discovered.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by geo on Sept 6, 2012 12:40:11 GMT -5
Are there any paints/finishes that might do the trick?
So long as I've gotta stick something else on top of it, it'd be nice to get to have a design on there.
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Post by lunaalta on Sept 6, 2012 17:06:13 GMT -5
Maybe try your local sign shop. They'll have pvc adhesive sheet and will probably cut it to size, if you supply a template. EAsy to apply and remove, if you need to. That stuff will hold tight in most any conditions.....  |
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Post by cynical1 on Sept 6, 2012 22:44:08 GMT -5
lunaalta's idea is actually pretty simple and clever. I never gave it much thought until he mentioned it, but if you had access to, or knew someone that had access to screen printing equipment you could take a standard sheet of vinyl material, apply a screen printed graphic on it, install it to your existing pickguard, clear coat it for resilience and longevity, and have one seriously cool pickguard.
+1 to lunaalta for sparking a pretty cool idea.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by geo on Sept 9, 2012 1:27:31 GMT -5
Wow, that's brilliant! (And not particularly expensive from the sound of it!) Many thanks!
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Post by lunaalta on Sept 9, 2012 7:31:10 GMT -5
Most PVC sign businesses should be able to print your 'intricate' design and cut exactly to template, including cutouts for switches and knobs, etc!
In Spain the PVC designs last several years, in bright (very) sunlight!
LOL; you could get a whole set of designs and change them at whim......
A hot air blower would help you to remove (peel) the PVC, not too hot though, take it slow, so as not to do any damage to your axe or the scratch plate.
I guess if you lay the scratch plate on a piece of (cold) metal before you hot air blow it, you would lower the chance of damaging it, by draining the heat away from below.
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Post by cynical1 on Sept 9, 2012 8:57:20 GMT -5
One other thing I neglected to mention. Ask your sign shop\screen printer to use a top masking sheet. This is just a non-stretchable sheet applied over your pvc printed sheet. This prevents the printed sheet from distorting after the back adhesive masking sheet is removed and during installation. Running your squeegee over a non top masked sheet is a recipe for disaster.
While I've done hundreds of these installs over the years it may seem like Greek if you've never done one before. The video below is for automotive sign installation, but the process is virtually identical.
And spring for the real squeegee for applying vinyl signs. While some folks will tell you a credit card will work, it will not work as well. For the odd few bucks it costs the results are appreciably different.
If I remember anything else along the way I'll jot it down here. And feel free to ask questions on anything I may have glossed over...no pun intended...
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by 1150lefty on Oct 15, 2012 10:35:39 GMT -5
I used a spray product called Bumper Black. Made a nice flat black finish and even filled most of the scratches the previous owner left. Duplicolor sells plastic dye - not sure how well it works.
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Post by geo on Oct 25, 2012 20:20:37 GMT -5
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