Cleaning up a vintage mustang s/plate

Ben79 · Post by **Ben79** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:22 pm

Just got hold of a very nice sunburst '75 Mustang.

I love it!

It's had a sticker applied to the scratch plate for some time which has been removed but left a gummy residue. Really stupidly I used some acetone to wipe it off, which it did, but it also melted the surface of the scratchplate. Fortunately I didn't use very much and only on a small area so you can't see any damage but the residual sticker goo and the scratchplate plastic have now amalgamated in some areas meaning the goo can't be rubbed off - it's IN the plastic.

Is it possible to rub these down at all? I've got a dremel with various attachments. Obviously I want it to look right so I'd need to get it back to a smooth, polished finish.

Any help much appreciated.

Pens · Post by **Pens** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:23 pm

What color is the scratchplate?

You'd be better off using a sanding block and sandpaper to scrub it off, then move up in grade to 2000 grit wetsand paper and buff it out like you would with any finish. However, don't do that if it's a printed tort guard.

Ben79 · Post by **Ben79** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:10 pm

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like it can be saved, phew! The guard is white.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:09 pm

i would go the sandpaper route as well, maybe start with 600, or even 800 wet with mineral spirits, i have heard people use baby oil before but i have never tried it.

Doug · Post by **Doug** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 10:22 pm

Ben79 wrote:Thanks for the advice. Sounds like it can be saved, phew! The guard is white.

Before you do anything, share all this advice you're getting with a vintage expert. You have a priceless instrument (well, not literally, but you know what I mean)...last thing ya wanna do is make things any worse. Hire an expert to do expert work...and who knows, maybe the damage can be undone.

Cheers,

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:55 am

How bad is it ?

Not just best to accept it as part of its story now ? ... along with the other accidental knocks and bruises it's had over the years. Sometimes covering something over can make it look even worse.

Is it a pretty clean overall ?

BobArsecake · Post by **BobArsecake** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 1:54 am

I think I'd rather leave as is, and think of it how Owen's put it, or get a new scratchplate, or if you're set on keeping it original and making it clean; have a professional do it.

Ben79 · Post by **Ben79** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:55 am

Is it a pretty clean overall ?

It's in pretty amazing condition for the age. Barely a mark on the body and the neck is like new. With the scratch plate fixed, it would look mint.

I think I feel so stupid and slightly guilty for melting the plate on an otherwise timewarp vintage guitar that I feel obliged to rectify my mistake.

I guess plates can be got that are indistinguishable from the vintage white 3-ply?

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:34 am

Can we see pics ? might be worth correcting then if that's the case...

I would stick with original if I was you.

That would personally bother me more, well... that and living in Brixton.

Cleaning up a vintage mustang s/plate

Cleaning up a vintage mustang s/plate

Whoaa Nelly