Redsand Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I'd like to re-finish the pickguard on my H-555 from ALSB to Solid Black or Trans-Black without disturbing the binding. Have any of you guys done this before, if so, what is the best way to "tape off" or protect the binding during the sand/stain/clear coating process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I think I've got what you want. This is from my ASB 535 and I removed it the day I bought the guitar. The pic makes it look a little scratched up but it actually just has light pick marks - they'd polish out easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsand Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 Yes sir, I'll pm you when I get home in a few hours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 Looking forward to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsand Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 Really??? 52 views and counting and nobody's refinished one of these things before? Maybe I should have dressed up the title with some sure fire comment producers like HRW's, neck size and weight or anything BrentRocks related! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I'm guessing that this is not as straightforward as it might seem, Matt. The majority of the refinish work I've read about here seems to be done by luthiers such as Aaron Cowles and Pete Moreno. Maybe a call to the factory might throw up some useful info, especially if you can talk directly with one of the sprayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsand Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share Posted March 2, 2014 I'm guessing that this is not as straightforward as it might seem, Matt. The majority of the refinish work I've read about here seems to be done by luthiers such as Aaron Cowles and Pete Moreno. Maybe a call to the factory might throw up some useful info, especially if you can talk directly with one of the sprayers. I know H, just being cheeky. Did you replace your H535 PG with something else or did you leave it off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I just left it off. My 535 is completely naked. Yum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 That was a bit weird. Sorry about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitfiddler Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 As our beautiful bound maple pickguards (scratch plates for our EU buddies) wear out over time, the answer to this refinishing question will need answering. I've seen some worn out ones and they ain't pretty. Maybe someone with the proper skills will see this as a business opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steiner Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 First you'll need a base to screw it to. Then you'll sand like there's no tomorrow. Once the old finish and stain are off you'll have to progress through higher levels of sandpaper until you polish it. Now it's time to tape off the binding. Take your time. Next, spray a couple coats of clear nitro, then hit it with some colored nitro (Reranch / Stew Mac). Once you get the desired color, put down some more coats of clear nitro. Let it set for a few weeks and then buff / wet sand. Covering the binding with tape for the color spray is going to be a bitch! I know of no other way to keep it white. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsand Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 First you'll need a base to screw it to. Then you'll sand like there's no tomorrow. Once the old finish and stain are off you'll have to progress through higher levels of sandpaper until you polish it. Now it's time to tape off the binding. Take your time. Next, spray a couple coats of clear nitro, then hit it with some colored nitro (Reranch / Stew Mac). Once you get the desired color, put down some more coats of clear nitro. Let it set for a few weeks and then buff / wet sand. Covering the binding with tape for the color spray is going to be a bitch! I know of no other way to keep it white. Enjoy! Thank you Steiner!!!! I really appreciate the play by play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavesNotHere Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Just buy a black one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsand Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 Just buy a black one. Definitely might! Especially since this will be my maiden voyage into Pickguarding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goSteelers Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Graham at Wolfe's Guitars explained to me one time that Heritage non-black pickguards are much more expensive than black ones -- they charge a lot because it's hard to get them to look right, to make a long story short. So refinishing yours black would be taking something more valuable and making it less valuable, in a sense. I would buy a black one off of Heritage, or one of the third party companies that make them, and sell the one you have. That's my 2 cents . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthpawGuy Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Maybe check out this thread / seller http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/topic/20360-fs-many-heritage-pickguards-update/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLII Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I refinished my H-550 pickguard using black dye that Pete Moreno gave me. I just sanded off the old finish, dyed the wood, applied several coats of laquer with wet sanding between coats. then hit it with some rubbing compound follwed by paste wax. I scraped the binding the same way they do at the factory. Before: After: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulk1 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I refinished my H-550 pickguard using black dye that Pete Moreno gave me. I just sanded off the old finish, dyed the wood, applied several coats of laquer with wet sanding between coats. then hit it with some rubbing compound follwed by paste wax. I scraped the binding the same way they do at the factory. Before: After: What a great job on that .... finger rest ..... Is it the angle or color? But it appears to have more binding as black than it did originally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsand Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 Bingo.....thanks for input Kenny, your results look fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLII Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 What a great job on that .... finger rest ..... Is it the angle or color? But it appears to have more binding as black than it did originally. I think it's just from being out in the sun. The white edge is really glowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterbright Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 You should do custom pickguards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidsmoke Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Like you Matt, I've wanted to go black on the PG for my 535, being lazy as all get out...it never occurred to me to refinish it, I just wanted to buy one. The appropriate ones were snagged (er...snatched) from the listing referenced above, I explored grabbing one at the plant last August and it didn't come together...and I like it naked as well, so there is sits. You've got dibs on H's pickguard, but if you really want to do it yourself and pass on his, I'll take it. They do look good nekked, though. with without Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagle216 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I like them naked. The end. Why hide that beautiful flame grain you paid so much for? My 535 had relatively understated but beautiful flame, so I chose to leave mine on. I say if it has a gorgeous top let that baby show!!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthpawGuy Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 My '07 535 is a plain top, still took the pickguard off it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bob Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I refinished one for my 575 Sand it down to bare Tape off binding If your rubbing stain do it now, if not Seal it with sanding sealer, then Spray your finish, Pull off tape and clean binding with a scraper, go easy Clear, Attach I did mine with a little distress. Actually the original guard is in the case, the replacement was off something bigger like an eagle, it also only had one cut out so I had to add the bridge cut out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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