Best way to smooth pickguard edges on newer Rics
Moderator: jingle_jangle
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Best way to smooth pickguard edges on newer Rics
Hi all, I am interested in smoothing the edges of my pickguards as was done in earlier days of Rickenbacker. I know at least one person does this as one step in a process of "mods"... does anyone know the best way to accurately do this as per a '60s Ric?
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jingle_jangle
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I perform this operation on a table router fitted with a radius bit, while the acrylic guard was still stuck to its pattern. This is similar to the factory's methods all those years ago.
It can, however, be done at home with no power tools, just some sandpaper and a block or a scraper. Here's how:
First, mask off the front of the guard with some masking tape, to within about 1/4" of the edge, to prevent scratches on the glossy surface.
You can either use a machinist's triangular scraper or some 150-grit sandpaper on a rubber block to give the guard's edges their radii. Scrape or sand a radius onto the top edge, scraping or sanding in the direction of the edge (along the edge, not across it). It is important that the radius be consistent along the edge. Take your time.
Next, regardless of whether you've scraped or sanded the radius, cut a sheet of #600 wet or dry paper into 8 equal-sized pieces. Wrap one around the rubber block, dip it into water, and, sanding at a 45 degree angle to the edge and with a curved stroke that follows the radius you just put onto the edge, use the #600 to remove the scraper marks and/or sanding marks from the previous step. Wipe dry ever so often to check your progress.
Now, apply some rubbing compound to the corner of a CSCC and RUB along the edge radius, to polish out the #600 sanding marks. I do this with a cloth buffing wheel mounted in a drill press and rotating at about 750-800 RPM. I charge the wheel with some plastic polishing compound which comes in bars.
If you do this carefully and patiently, you will have a polished, nicely-radiused edge on your pickguards.
It can, however, be done at home with no power tools, just some sandpaper and a block or a scraper. Here's how:
First, mask off the front of the guard with some masking tape, to within about 1/4" of the edge, to prevent scratches on the glossy surface.
You can either use a machinist's triangular scraper or some 150-grit sandpaper on a rubber block to give the guard's edges their radii. Scrape or sand a radius onto the top edge, scraping or sanding in the direction of the edge (along the edge, not across it). It is important that the radius be consistent along the edge. Take your time.
Next, regardless of whether you've scraped or sanded the radius, cut a sheet of #600 wet or dry paper into 8 equal-sized pieces. Wrap one around the rubber block, dip it into water, and, sanding at a 45 degree angle to the edge and with a curved stroke that follows the radius you just put onto the edge, use the #600 to remove the scraper marks and/or sanding marks from the previous step. Wipe dry ever so often to check your progress.
Now, apply some rubbing compound to the corner of a CSCC and RUB along the edge radius, to polish out the #600 sanding marks. I do this with a cloth buffing wheel mounted in a drill press and rotating at about 750-800 RPM. I charge the wheel with some plastic polishing compound which comes in bars.
If you do this carefully and patiently, you will have a polished, nicely-radiused edge on your pickguards.
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