Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

We'll do, John.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, Paul, but I would like some advice. I had my guitars in storage while I was away and upon opening the Jetglo 360v64 case I couldn't help but notice a sort of rough, chalky residue on the guitar - especially the back of the neck. It buffs out with a lot of elbow grease but I don't want to overdo it. This is one of the guitars that received the Scratch-X/Zymol 'treatment'. It has also had 'Lemoil' very sparingly applied to the strings and back of the neck a few times since being treated.

Do you have any suggestions as to what may have caused it and how I should go about restoring it to its former glory?

Interestingly, the other guitar that has had 'the treatment' - my 620 TQ - doesn't have the same problem at all. It's had the same minor application of Lemoil as well.

Thanks in advance.....

H

Aitch, this is probably leftover perspiration (paint DOES have pores, just like your skin, and absorbs salts, oils, etc). Sounds like crystalline salt to me. Could also be older wax residue. Hard to tell without seeing it in person. Wanna send me a ticket?

OK, nothing ventured, as they say...

Here's what I'd do:

Dampen a soft cloth--yep, diapers, again...with a nice mild soap solution. I use glycerine hand soap, not Fairy liquid, because dishwashing liquids have something in them to soften the water and make them suds up real nice, and that something is...SALT!

So those nice amber/transparent bars that ladies buy in the chemist's to keep their faces and curves nice and soft, is what you want.

Just dampen, now...don't soak. Smells nice, huh? OK, wipe down the affected regions, give the soapy water a chance to work, and keep wiping. As long as it's a cotton cloth and there are no cracks or scratches down to the wood, you can't hurt things. This should remove the bulk of the substance, if it's what I think it is. Then Scratch-X/Zymol again.

If it's not what I think it is, try some naphtha.

BTW, this is my strategy to remove most unidentifiable crusty things from paint, because nearly everything has a solvent. Food stuff and some organics have water, and many chemicals have...chemical solvents. So as I mentioned in another thread, I work through the solvents from mild (soapy water, naphtha) to more aggressive until the stain is gone, then re-wax. Sometimes the area requires a couple of days' air-drying and a bit of polishing compound, then Scratch-X/Zymol; usually this is in the case of having to use acetone or ethylene dichloride (NOT recommended for amateurs due to possibility of finish damage, so I will not be responsible for anyone trying this as a "fix" out there!).

While we're off-topic, I have procured a switch that will work on your Gretsch as a standby. Stay tuned!

Thanks, Paul. I'll see if I can get a decent pic of it at the weekend. I know exactly the type of soap you are suggesting, so that will be option 1. I'm assuming that I'd need to wipe down a number of times with a cloth dampened with warm water prior to the Scratch-X/Zymol treatment, yes?

Great news on the Gretsch, too.... thank you!

I hope the stone surgery goes well.... we need you up and running at full speed!

I am at close to full speed; just not putting in the 14-16 hour days that I'm used to at the moment; more like 10-12 temporarily. But I'm feeling fine, if a bit tired by 5 pm, when I usually am just kicking into gear, as you know!

Surgery scheduled later this month; in and out the same day with only a weekend needed to recuperate, I'm told.

Are they going to keep the stones for you? An interesting conversation piece on the office desk.

Only with checker binding, and after the ScratchX/Zymol treatment Howard.

Good luck, Paul. Been there, had it done, got the T-shirt. I hope your back to full strength soon.

...Dean

If you get a good size one, you could always paint it fireglow.

It's 8 1/2" X 11".

Sorry, mm.

Har!

"It's 8 1/2" X 11"."

Probably feels like that! Good luck on the procedings, Paul. May all go as planned.

Good luck, sir! Everything will be fine.

Good luck with the surgery Paul, my two rick's that are coming your way need you in top running condition......

All the best from me too Paul...

Thank you all very much. I go into hospital on the 30th; should be out in a day or two. Virtually zero convalescence, they're telling me.