Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Paul, I was wondering if you had any suggestions for stopping the finish on black parts from flaking off? I just bought a Shadow bass, and the black finish around the screws on the bridge have bubbled up from the screw holes. Is there anything that could be carefully injected into the opening of the bubble that would help?

That doesn't look too bad, Steve...There's nothing really that you can inject into the bubble that can stop minor blistering.

If you wish to re-do the finish on the hardware, you can strip the parts off the bass--takes less than 1/2 hour--and take them to a powder-coater. For less than a hundred bucks, they can be re-coated to look like new.

Thanks Paul. I may look into getting the bridge and bridge pickup surround, (which is in bad shape), re-coated. Is there anything special I would need to tell the folks doing the re-coating?
P.S. Happy B-day!

Thanks, Steve!!!

Good powder-coaters have all the moves...just tell them you want the same gloss level.

And I'd do all the parts at once, or it'll look a bit weird, because no one will give you an exactly correct level on the gloss.

I had a tailpiece and bridge pu surround bead-blasted and powder coated a couple years back. My brother was bringing in some of the parts from his motorcycle to be done(a Buell) so I asked if he'd throw my parts into the order. I forgot the exact name for the flat black color that was used, but they turned out looking RIC-factory new.

As I'm sure you've already figured out, the tail and pickup surrounds are powder coated, but the tuners are plated.

Part of the reason I'm not such a big fan of BT is that its not nearly as durable as chrome. But on a Shadow, obviously...you've gotta keep the BT.

Yup Jeff, a Shadow needs it's black. I can live with the bubbling on the bridge, but the bridge pickup surround is in bad shape. If I can't find another one, I'm just going to bite the bullet and have the surround and bridge re-coated.

There is one guy around here who does a better powder-coat than anyone else. He says he uses custom voltages on his machine, and runs the heat at different levels, plus (he claims) his powder stock is better.

All I know is, his stuff is more durable. He used to work for NASA building spacecraft in Code 700 at Goddard Space Flight Center, retired, and went into business for himself. If I can find his business card, I will post his contact info, just in case, anyone is open to mailing their parts away to be done..