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Ageing plastics

Hope you guys can shed a little light here...

Im on with a vintage looking build right now, but my pickup covers are shiny white new looking... any tips for ageing plastics?
I thought I might stick it in the oven for a minute, but that might result in a puddle of molten pickup cover, so how about sanding it to break the finish, then staining with tea, or wood stain?

Not one to be fussy, but ideally Id like a 'tobacco stain' colour!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by RL Mott on November 27, 2009 at 11:40am

Scroll down a bit to "aging tuners" .....Stewmac's trade secrets newsletter

Permalink Reply by Paul Thorley on November 29, 2009 at 8:07am

Hey Roosterman,
I age bone colored volume knobs with a butane torch, the edges go tobacco, it's quick, like an air brush but do your sanding/distressing first.

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on November 30, 2009 at 4:16am

Interesting stuff - thanks chaps :o)

Permalink Reply by David Alan Stevens on December 7, 2009 at 8:35pm

You can dye plastic using RIT dye. It is available in grocery stores. I might try using some brown and yellow diluted. After that you can diminish the effect with steel wool on the corners and edges for a "worn off" effect. This in combo with a very quick pass with a butane torch should have those shiny plastic bits looking like age old celluloid. I have never done this before but I am in the prop and set building business and artificially aging things is part of my trade. Just an idea on the approach I would take. Good luck my friend!

Permalink Reply by howling on October 3, 2012 at 8:02am