Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So I have a 1997 model on its way to me, and the idea is to change the white plastics to gold. Yup, that classic combination.

However, would this be such a bad idea...it comes with a white Plexi TRC, so has anyone stripped the white off the plexiglass and back sprayed it gold? Good or bad idea?

The lettering will come off too

I spray painted one of the plastic raised letter trc’s gold,and used a black sharpie on the lettering.
I think it would be more difficult to change a plexi trc,though.

Bad idea because the logo would be removed at the same time, rendering the TRC useless.

I changed a plexi TRC from gold to white back about 1975. I carefully scraped the gold paint off with a tiny screwdriver tip, leaving the black lettering and then back-painted it white. It worked fine, but was about as tedious as you can imagine. In any case, considering what TRCs sell for these days, it would be a pretty risky experiment.

Yep, what they all said.

The TRC lettering is screen-printed ink. It would come off with any technique or solvent you use to remove the paint.

Just buy a gold TRC next time one turns up on eBay and be done with it. Save your old TRC if you ever want to go back to original.

What’s the current situation with TRXC’s? If I had a gold one slightly damaged, can I send that back and get a replacement? What price do they charge?

collin wrote:Yep, what they all said.

The TRC lettering is screen-printed ink. It would come off with any technique or solvent you use to remove the paint.

Just buy a gold TRC next time one turns up on eBay and be done with it. Save your old TRC if you ever want to go back to original.

What he said!! ^^^^^^^^^

Can't you just make a new TRC that looks like what you want, instead of potentially destroying the original? A little CAD work, pick the right materials, a 3D printer (or on-line service), and your done! Sounds fun. Put the old one in the case for safe keeping.

Unicoil wrote:Can't you just make a new TRC that looks like what you want.

Man, I have built entire four room (plus kitchen and bath) dormers for my house and that was far easier than making a new TRC for a Rickenbacker. No joke.

I made my own gold TRC. It came out pretty darn nice. But would never do it again. It was insane to attempt.

Thankfully I managed to find one. Now have the white Plexi as a spare.