Removing black hardware finish? Possible?

fabgear · Post by **fabgear** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:34 pm

Has anyone ever tried to remove the black finish on 80/90s Rickenbacker parts?

Is there a usable nickel or chrome plating under this, or is it futile? I'm guessing it's andonized or some similar process and might not be able to be buffed off or removed.

Just wondering, as I've got a Ric coming to me with all black hardware and I'll probably be removing it all to replace with other parts.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:46 pm

I used pure acetone to remove the black finish on a 4003/5 tailpiece once by soaking it overnight. The surface under the finish was un-plated and took a copper/nickel/chrome plating very well.

fabgear · Post by **fabgear** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 5:09 am

Dane, thanks!

I'll try that and check with some local platers.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:25 am

I beleive it is powder-coat paint. I used a glass bead blaster to remove the finish from an "R" tailpiece with good results. Then I refinished it with powder coat. They make a smokey chrome that looks like a nickel finish that I might consider if I were to do another one. The tuners are another story. The black on those is a process called melonite (not sure of spelling)it is like a black chrome.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 8:08 am

if your black parts are in good shape the sell them and buy chrome ones to put on ...

I like the black trim and I will buy black parts that are in good shape ...

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:23 am

I agree with Jeff that rather than destroying a now out of production part you should sell or trade it to someone else.

fabgear · Post by **fabgear** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:44 pm

Well, when I get the guitar here, I'll have the parts up in the for sale section for sale or trade then. I'll try that route first, as I've got parts to put on in the mean time.

I figured there wasn't much demand for the black parts.....

elgranluis · Post by **elgranluis** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:10 pm

what instrument are we talking about here? i am in the lookout for bass parts

fabgear · Post by **fabgear** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:40 am

sorry Luis, it's a guitar, not a bass.

elgranluis · Post by **elgranluis** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:43 pm

oh well, thanks anyway.