Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've recently acquired a Rick that was probably made in 1958 (pots dated 2nd week 1958) and does not appear to have the thick, glossy clear coat finish I'm used to for CV. Instead, the finish has a matte appearance and does not seem to have much thickness at all. Was Rick using nitro in 1958? How can I tell what the finish is?

We all know about the Scratch-X/Zymol treatment for CV finishes, but I'm wondering how to properly care for the older nitrocellulose lacquer finishes that Rickenbacker used long ago.

yeah, it should be Nitro at that point (I'm fairly sure),as I don't know any other types other than CV and Nitro that they used.

Scratch-X and Zymol is good for nearly any type of finish, including Nitro. Nitro is also way more forgiving than CV.

If it's the original finish, it'll be nitro for sure. Rick first started using CV in '59 sometime.

Care is the same as CV for the most part. Note that nitro is thin and a nitro finish this old will
be brittle and fragile. Go easy on the rubbin' sauce!

I notice that when there are areas of raw wood where the finish has rubbed off, the Zymol will leave a white residue in those places. Just sayin' you might wish to avoid such areas with the treatment.

cjj wrote:... How can I tell what the finish is? ...

If I get the time to work on it, I may have a way to tell (non-destructive testing).

kiramdear wrote:I notice that when there are areas of raw wood where the finish has rubbed off, the Zymol will leave a white residue in those places. Just sayin' you might wish to avoid such areas with the treatment.

Kira's correct on this point!

jingle_jangle wrote:

kiramdear wrote:I notice that when there are areas of raw wood where the finish has rubbed off, the Zymol will leave a white residue in those places. Just sayin' you might wish to avoid such areas with the treatment.

Kira's correct on this point!

Wow, I got one right!

Yeah, I learned that from my well-loved 430. Not sure how to address the prob, though; perhaps a toothbrush or a damp Q-tip and some elbow grease would get that stuff out of the grain.

Pictures?

beatlefreak wrote:Pictures?

Of Kira's 430 or CJ's instrument?

CJ's = http://www.rickresource.com/phpBB3/down ... &mode=view

Okey dokey.

Kira, try Howard's Restore-A-Finish, in Natural color, on the 430. Kills the scratches. Makes it glow.

Yeah.... 'my' Restore-A-Finsh' should do the trick!!

Wonder if it works on cheicken grease............

Thanks, you two and sorry to hijack you, CJ. I don't know if this tip pertains to your query but it is very nice for me .

No worries, it's all good info! The finish on mine is in amazingly good condition for something over 50 years old, definitely better than my finish. I haven't found anyplace where the finish is really worn off, of course, I'd guess there's a lot less wear on these since you don't actually hold them when they are played...

Thanks. I've never given my '68 any tlc in regards to the finish. Maybe it's high time I did.