Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

hi guys,
im the owner of a fireglo 96 4003, second hand. when i got her the finish had 'sticky-finish' syndrome, specially around the headstock. anybody know how to get rid of it? ive tried dunlop fomula 65, but it comes back after awhile. whats the best stuff to use on a rick finish?there's also green stuff (oxidation?) where the frets meet the fretboard, but i dont wanna scrape it out or anyhting in case i damage the lacquer. any advice?

This was very likely caused by a a previous owner exposing the finish to chlorine in some fashion. It could have been a cleaner, contact with a stand that had PVC tubing or from storage in PVC sheeting.

Unfortunately, there's nothing I know of to reverse this, and worse, it often continues to creep, "plasticising" as it's called.

Sometimes this is just surface gunk which liquid Turtle Wax will remove. Search the archives for more complete instructions.

Clean those frets out with a wooden popsicle stick or coffee stirrer, which you can split to get a sharper edge. These are soft enough that they won't hurt the finish as long as you use reasonable care. What you're cleaning out is old polish, the moisture of which has caused corrosion of the frets. Some care while polishing usually saves much time later.

Mr Hall,
What kind of guitar polish would you recommend for RIC instruments. I've been using Martin guitar polish on mine.

Here's a starting point:

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Anything? Even scotch?

Actually reminds me of this guy I knew who invented cleaners and then sold them to the "As Seen On TV" guys. The same solution that was the "miracle" eye glass cleaner would be the "magic" car window cleaner etc..Same stuff sold anywhere for $1.99 in the local car wash to $19.99 on TV.

I just love the down to earth honesty of John Hall ...

Compare this to a local furniture chain around here ... you know the one that ALWAYS has a sale ... anyway when you buy a couple thousand dollars of their cheap pressed board veneered furniture they will try to sell you a box of expensive furniture care supplies and then talk you into buying expensive refills ... gee what a profit source ... If John Hall ran that company he would tell them "Go buy a can of pledge furniture polish"

Not Pledge! It has silicones!

And remember that the $4-or-less Turtle Wax gets thinned 50/50 with water. Just try that with your $4 scotch.

thanks john for the info, i'll try it out!

Someone that owned a bar told me that 5 bottles of scotch and one bottle of water equals 6 bottles of scotch.

Thanks Mr. Hall. I'll try that! Cheap and effective, my kind of problem solution

Try the scotch too.