Cleaning a white finish

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 4:39 am

i hand my hands on my first rick recently, a white with black trim 4003 (a 1991 model)

It came in a hardshell case with a black felt - like interior. This case does not really fit properly (but fits my P bass like a glove)

the bass has nasty black streak marks on the side of the top horn, caused my the case fitting very tightly.

the marks appear to be under the finish (?!?!?!) and seem un cleanable. There were several other black blemishes on the back, but these wiped off

Any ideas?

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 7:46 am

Try some Ajax or Comet cleanser, apply librally with a minimum amount of water, and scrub it with a Brillo pad.

Just kidding, DO NOT TRY THE ABOVE!!! I'd try some Meguire's carnuba wax, and see if that takes it off. It's pretty non-intrusive to the actual finish, and it cleans it off pretty well. I'd also get a standard RIC SKB case, it fits the RIC like a glove, and is invaluable as far as protecting it.

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 8:36 am

i cant afford a new case

i am in debt over the bass.

I have a gigbag, that fits my 4003 and my P Bass fine.

I have a hardshell that the 4003 came in, which barely fits. Fits the P Bass like a glove tho

I have a Hiscox flightcase, that i bought just before i got the Rick. Again, fits P Bass like glove, wont fit rick AT ALL.

I guess when your bass looks that cool, thats the price you have to pay

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Wed May 14, 2003 8:38 am

can i clean off dirty marks from the fret board etc with a bit of lighter fuel? (this would seem ok)

herbsman · Post by **herbsman** » Wed May 14, 2003 9:21 am

I wouldn't put lighter fuel anywhere on your guitar it may damage the finish... unless you plan to smoke it later of course... isopropol alcahol which you can get from the chemist used sparingly is good or my own favourite which is "mr sheen" , which smells nice too.. and a bit of elbow grease..

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu May 15, 2003 9:00 am

I had a White Ric with black trim (91, small world) and one especially hot night a few summers ago, I played it with a brand new red shirt, needless to say the combination of sweat and new die caused the red to bleed into the bass. I tried everything I could think of, including isopropyl alcohol to try and get it out but nothing worked. I think that the die from the shirt actually penetrated the finish. I also slightly stained a new Mapleglo V63 the same way with a new black shirt a short time later, and ditto for that one too, nothing helped. I sold both basses and will not wear a new shirt now with a light colored Ric. The manuals included with new basses actually warn you about that incidently.

herbsman · Post by **herbsman** » Thu May 15, 2003 9:13 am

Bob.. the best thing I think for you is to play naked, but spend a few weeks getting extra toned.. and just watch those girls queing up when you come off stage to meet you.. I guarantee you'll never be as popular again.. or your money back.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Thu May 15, 2003 9:23 am

Actually, I have a buddy who does this on a regular basis. He even did it on Scottish television once! He has a padlock he keeps as a piercing in a fairly interesting place which they showed when he stepped out from behind his bass. He now has literally dozens of padlocks that admiring females have sent him.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu May 15, 2003 9:27 am

Hey, I like that idea! (but my wife won't)

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Fri May 16, 2003 12:21 am

the finish on my bass seems to have a life of its own. After a rehearsal or gig, i get it home and its covered in marks. most can be polished out but its really annoying. I guess that a white finish will show marks that a black instrument would not.

I agree that rickenbackers have the nicest finishes. But the black polyester on my P-Bass is bullet proof!

admin · Post by **admin** » Fri May 16, 2003 1:24 am

Owen: Perhaps it depends on the type of finish. I find that instruments with a black finish show up the smudges far more than those finished in white.

dano · Post by **dano** » Fri May 16, 2003 4:17 am

Hey Owen,

According to John Hall a product called "Simple Green" will clean the fretboard nicely. I agree with Peter that a black finish does show the smudges more so than a white finish (I have both). My white '79 finish is flawless. There may be different reasons for this (notice the age gap). If most of yours will polish off but some remain, the remaining have probably seeped through the clearcoat finish and cannot be removed. I would look into something that would reinforce the clearcoat finish so the problem doesn't get any worse. John Hall recommended a product called Spray Nitro which worked well on my unfinished fretboard. Not sure how it would work on the bass itself.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Fri May 16, 2003 5:34 am

my white 4003 doesnt show smudges, but picks up dirty marks very easily, it was not bought new, and while in very good condition, its covered in blemishes. near the top strap holder is a large black scar - under the clear coat. around the strap holders the white has turned orange. and the headstock has "burns" from a wall hanger, as well as more small black blemishes under the clear.

While i take good care of my stuff, its there to be used and as a result i find it hard to keep my 4003 clean