This stuff really works - WOW!!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:01 pm

Well done, John! It's not a chore at all, is it? More like a labour of love.........

I like pic #2 - the reflections are the best way to show off the results.

Did you polish the back of the neck? If so, how have you found it playing-wise since? I have only one word for mine after the treatment - slick!!

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:06 pm

Thanks Howard. It was a labor of love, thus the sexy comment!! I did polish the back of the neck but haven't played it yet as I was already so late to work. I'm heading home for supper now and plan to give it a whirl. I also need to look at the neck to see how it is laying after the restring.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:42 pm

The polishing process makes a HUGE difference in a dingy, dull fingerboard. Brings the wood back to life visually!
After I did my 4080 it was all over the place, as far as tuning goes. It's finally settled back down after about 2 weeks. There's been a lot of humidity changes lately also.

Whenever kids are at our practices & someone asks them what they like best, they've all said "the shiny guitar"!
That would be my bass (4000 or 4001)!
All that chrome & the contrasting pickguard make a big first impression, as does the fact that you can see yourself reflected in the well-polished finish almost better than you can in a mirror.

I noticed that the other day, I could see the detail in the tiled floor better in the reflection on my JG 4080 than by looking at the floor itself!

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:50 pm

I too have started using the "Paul treatment" on the necks of my basses.

Shinny...Like new..

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 2:57 pm

I'm sure you feel it was well worth the effort John! When you put the guitar all back together and restring it it's great to just sit back and admire your handy work.

So what's next on your list, like the rest of us it becomes a quest to have them all shined up!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:38 pm

I still have 5 or 6 to do, Ron. I deliberately attacked the solid colour ones first. The 350 is next (I think just the Zymol treatment), followed by the 5 FGs. Looks like Sunday may be ****** weather-wise!!

I think Paul's already done the Monty 330 that is currently 'boarding' at his home.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:04 pm

Kevin - what I noticed was all the grain in the wood of the fretboard. Its like the highlights are more glowing and the darker treering lines are darker. More 3D and beautiful. That least sentence goes for the maple also.

Ron - I do feel it was well worth the time and it won't be over a year next time. Like I said earlier, it was dirtier than it looked, and you didn't realize it until you look at the diapers afterwards and also how big a difference when looking at the bass. Since this is my only Rick, the only other instrument I have to do is my $20 wonder Austin antique white P-J bass. It was really dirty when I got it off this 17 year old so it was disassembled and washed with dish detergent and a scrub sponge. Eh, for $20..... So I am sure the Scratch-X will make a difference on that body, and Zymol should make it look like at least $40!!

It will be really interesting and telling of the process with that bass. I believe it is also a CV finish. Very busy weekend coming up so it will have to be next week.

Howard - The FGs should really be beautiful after "The Paul Treatment" - really 3D in the burst. Make sure you have a hose nearby to put out the fire! Oh, the neck is fast again, reminding me of how it felt when new. I am meticulous about washing hands before playing and wiping down after playing, so I am suprised in the difference and the amount of dirt I cleaned off.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:29 am

Question - Does this process remove minute layers of finish (as a car wax does)?
I have a new Hofner Club, in the Limited Edition Black.
New out of the box were tons of polish swirls, but the paint finish does not look all too deep. I'd hate to start up thinking I'll have a shiny guitar and end up with worn-through paint!
Sorry if this has been covered, but at this moment don't have time to read back through the billions of posts on the subject. Thanks!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 10:03 am

I think Paul has explained it somewhere here. I'd rather he gave you the definitive answer than me give you my foggy memories, Jerry.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 10:55 am

Using the Scratch-X will remove a tiny amount of the finish. After all, it's the only way to get swirls out. I don't know how you could assess the thickness of the Hofner's paint without a paint thickness gauge... Merely waxing will not take those swirls out, either.

My suggestion is to try a bit of Scratch-X on an area under a guard or pickup, as these are installed after the body is buffed and can still be reinstalled if you rub through, which is unlikely.

Rubbing through is possible (though still unlikely with Scratch-X) on sharp edges, and those can always be taped off with masking tape if you'st still gun-shy.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:18 am

Thank you!

grinch · Post by **grinch** » Sun May 07, 2006 2:16 pm

Can Scratch-X and Zymol be used on every part of the guitar?

And, can they be used on other guitars?

And, finally, can I just use a cotton T-shirt or my RIC polishing cloth to do the stuff?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun May 07, 2006 3:11 pm

1. Good on fretboards and pickguards. Useless on "F" holes--no matter what you do, they won't shine...Zymol is good for protecting chrome, and Scratch-X is nice on Rick chrome--very gentle.

2. Absolutely for Rickenbackers only. It says so on the label!!!

3. Save your Rick polishing cloth and use a cotton T-shirt. Next time you're in WalMart, buy a half-dozen diapers.

If you want a REAL shine, get one of those $99.00 Rick polishing cloths that pop up occasionally on eBay...

grinch · Post by **grinch** » Sun May 07, 2006 5:02 pm

WOW! I'm amazed. At first I got worried when the stuff started to haze, but the Zymol took it right off and made it glisten. I polished every part and it looks ever newer tha new (if that's possible). All those little rub marks from picking are gone.

Really, this stuff is like a mirror in a bottle!

Did the fretboard too...

Overall, I give these products a THUMBS UP!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun May 07, 2006 5:39 pm

Neat!! Great result, Nick.