'Relicing' nickel covers?

[Darth Tater]

I picked up a nice little ESP Eclipse this weekend with the intent of putting DiMarzio 36th PAF's in it. It's kind of a beater, and I'd like to have covered pickups, but I can't see having nice new shiny pickup covers on a beat guitar. I also can't see shelling out an extra $50 for the 'worn nickel' version of the same pickups.

So, what's the best way to knock the sheen off the nickel covers? Steel wool? Sandblaster? Plutonium?

[The Golden Boy]

Why not touch them with your sweaty paws and in a couple of days... viola! Tarnished nickel covers!

[Darth Tater]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Why not touch them with your sweaty paws and in a couple of days... viola! Tarnished nickel covers!

I'm looking more for a 'dulled nickel' look, not 'fried chicken grease smeared on nickel' look

[tele_phil]

Originally Posted by Darth Tater

I'm looking more for a 'dulled nickel' look, not 'fried chicken grease smeared on nickel' look

Wash down that fried chicken with a few beers then lick the covers

[movingpictures]

My ebay search shows 36th ann sets w/ aged nickle covers for $170(i was looking onto a set myself). Thats $20 more, or $10 a piece, than what they typically sell for. If you have ever tried prying up a new cover, and then re-soldering it back on, and hoping it doesnt squeal, then the $10 is a deal...

[Misterbulbous]

a few minutes in a steamy environment (like over a tea pot), may dull them up a little. Or...saltwater, followed by a steam bath. Disclaimer...I have never done this, but am familair with some of the accelerated corrosion testing used on metals.

[Darth Tater]

Actually they are $65 each without the worn covers...$130 for a set. That's a $40 difference.

Would one really need to take the cover off just to rub some sandpaper or something on it? And why would it squeal? It's just a normal pickup underneath, no? I'm assuming they just add the cover, but I could be wrong. I've never had covered pickups before.

[movingpictures]

Originally Posted by Darth Tater

Actually they are $65 each without the worn covers...$130 for a set. That's a $40 difference.

Would one really need to take the cover off just to rub some sandpaper or something on it? And why would it squeal? It's just a normal pickup underneath, no? I'm assuming they just add the cover, but I could be wrong. I've never had covered pickups before.

Yeah,,i was looking at the covered version set. Those are $150, and $20 more for aged covers.

If you have a cover that is not seated properly, it will squeal. If the slug side isnt right on the cover, you will get sqealing at higher volumes.

Yes you can also rub sandpaper on the cover, but its not a good look..

[Darth Tater]

Originally Posted by movingpictures

Yeah,,i was looking at the covered version set. Those are $150, and $20 more for aged covers.

If you have a cover that is not seated properly, it will squeal. If the slug side isnt right on the cover, you will get sqealing at higher volumes.

I see. Is that because of vibrations?

[OlAndrew]

Sanding is gonna make ugly. If you want that old old look, with a sort of fine grained surface with traces of greenish here and there, hang the thing in an atmosphere of acid fumes. Pool hydrocloric, strong bleach, car battery sulphuric, nitric if you can get it, or something like that. You just want the fumes to hit it, don't soak it in the acid. And watch what's happening, don't want too much. Bleach fumes will be slow (the danger there is you think nothing is happening, wander away and forget about it, and come back too late) the actual acid fumes will work faster.

Then rub out the surface with a coarse cloth and a bit of oil. Instant Ancient!

Edit: don't want to get the fumes in the actual electronics. Can corrode tiny fine wires and such. If doing a whole pickup, need to use some diligence and ingenuity to seal it before treating.

[lpdeluxe]

Leave 'em alone. Nickel naturally tarnishes (the reason automobiles changed over to chrome plating years ago) and (especially in a humid area like where I live) they'll look old and dull in no time.