Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I had already discussed this with Paul W at this past SoCal confluence, but I thought it might make a good topic here.
I got this V63 right after the confluence. Paul had advised me about using nail polish, which was something I had previously done on solid finished with great results, but never tried on a translucent finish.
I knew this chip was on this V63 when I bought it. If this chip was anywhere else on this bass, it wouldn't bother me, but it's right there on the face of the body.
I've been trying several shades of red nail polish, on pieces of wood before I attempt to apply them to this bass. The problem is they all seem to turn pinkish. The other problem is the chip is right at the point of the shading of the fireglo.
Since I work for a company that makes inks I was thinking about trying some diluted red inks, but I'm concerned about the color fading after so many years.
This V63 used to belong to John Biscuti and then also Sam Davis.

The beauty.


With a zit.

Don't look at me Joey, it didn't have that chip when I owned it!



BTW, I bought the bass from the producer of this show: http://www.fearlessmusic.com/

I have a chip like that on the edge of my 330. I've considered using nail polish...I would think that even if the color didn't match perfectly, it would be a lot less glaring and probably easier to live with.

Wow, that's a toughie, Joey. I had a similar preoccupation with my 320 but thank goodness it's jetglo so a little goth nail enamel did the trick. After being in the art restoration biz I wouldn't like to try to make that ding go away. Translucent colors are murder. After a lot of experimentation you may find a technique that gets you closer to the old look, but complete removal and restoration of the color and finish won't be easy at all.

If they're turning too pibkish, mix the reddest one with some translucent orange or yellow. Don't give up--it may take awhile, but you can get very close.

I know of no other way of doing this that is reliable. Inks, magic marker all fade.

The head ink chemist at work said that marker ink would probably fade in time.

My resident nail polish expert (Diane) had also suggested mixing a little yellow into the red, but I hadn't found yellow when I was looking. Didn't think about mixing in some orange. Orange nail polish should be easy to find at this time of the year, I think.

Joey, many nail polishes are quite translucent. Have a look at the bottles and let your eyes tell you how translucent or opaque each color is.

There are yellow colors that are transparent, but you know how manufacturers play the color name game.

Best thing to do is to ignore the names and go for the look.

Avoid metallics, pearls, and colors that look too opaque. An opaque yellow will only muddy the nice translucent red you started out with. Since translucent yellows are generally pretty weak with regard to chroma (another name for intensity), you may find that you're using mostly yellow and adding the red to that.

Joey, I used Photoshop and it only took me a few seconds to repair the chip. So give that a try.......



(sorry, I have nothing constructive to add)

Joey, if you have any connections that can get you a hookup at an automotive paint supplier you should be able to get your your paint scanned (similar blend area on the RIc) and they'll be able to custom mix what you need. I have a buddy that has gotten me several small touch up size containers of paint for relatively cheap and even without a connection it may still cost you less than buying multiple shades of nail polish looking for the perfect blend. Just a thought.

Even with the chip, that is a really nice looking bass. I need to take notes on this in case I ever decide to fix my chip... Thanks for the discussion!

nukebass wrote:I need to take notes on this in case I ever decide to fix my chip... Thanks for the discussion!

Shoulder chips require a different kind of fix.

Or put a sticker over the chip.

beatlefreak wrote:Or put a sticker over the chip.

Ahh, but none of the flower power Rickenstickers on eBay at the moment.

jps wrote:

nukebass wrote:I need to take notes on this in case I ever decide to fix my chip... Thanks for the discussion!

Shoulder chips require a different kind of fix.

I've already had my shoulder fixed. Oh wait, you didn't mean that kind of chip

incubus2432 wrote:Joey, I used Photoshop and it only took me a few seconds to repair the chip. So give that a try.......

Actually Brian, I had beaten you to it!

I fixed the chip in this photo taken by by Sam Davis.