Ways to prevent fading?

[Emax]

What are the causes of fade to brown in the cherry vintage SGs? I would assume UV light plays a major role, but mine is mostly faded on the back of the neck where the hand wear is.

What is the best way to prevent fade? My early 70's SG still has a pretty good cherry color, and I would like to preserve it as much as possible.

I know keeping it out if light would be best, but the guitar looks really good hanging on my wall. It is out of any direct sunlight.

What is the best products for the finish? I am thinking a wax or polish with some UV protection in it.

Any thoughts on finish care?

 

[donepearce]

Keep it out of the light is the only way. The UV promotes a chemical reaction in the dye. I don't know of any finish that will keep the UV out.

 

[smitty_p]

I think Don is correct. Even hanging out of direct light does not keep all the UV away. In fact, fluorescent lights produce some UV light, as well.

 

[VanDerchuck]

Don't hang it on a wall.

 

[gtone]

Wow - I dig the fade. Red SG's are like @$$holes - everyone's got one (j/k). Gotta love those ones that fade from red to walnut.

 

[eS.G.]

DON'T feed them after midnight-----er wait----never mind

 

[Emax]

It's way too pretty not to!

All the brown on it now is from physical wear, so maybe I shouldn't play it either.

I am going to get museum uv film for my windows, or if I feel cheap I'll just get curtains that stay shut 95% of the time.

 

[slk230red]

My '73 SG Special (my avatar) hangs right next to my'61 Gretsch Clipper, and my '75 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gentleman on wall by my desk, along with a few others. I've been playing guitar and drums for over 50 years and enjoy being surrounded by my Ludwig drums, Fender amp, and guitar collection.
I do, however, avoid direct sunlight on my instruments by keeping the blinds adjusted accordingly.

I don't want the future owners of my guitars saying "I can't believe these have been stored in cases for all these years". If you got 'em, hang 'em. You only have one chance!

 

[VanDerchuck]

All the brown on it now is from physical wear, so maybe I shouldn't play it either.

If you decide not to play and want to get rid of it I'll trade you a Squier CV Tele, a Boss DS-1, and a partially working sixties Deluxe for it.

 

[Emax]

If you decide not to play and want to get rid of it I'll trade you a Squier CV Tele, a Boss DS-1, and a partially working sixties Deluxe for it.

Throw in a non working Fender Fuzz wah, wire the Deluxe for 220 and you can pay the rest in sandwiches.

 

[flatrockmobile]

The lacquer clear coats yellow as well. All the creamy colored SGs and Strats were pretty close to plain old white when new.
As far as prevention goes, you could hang a dark cloth over it as it hangs on the wall.
For waxes and polishes, stay away from anything that has silicone in it. Car polish with UV protection might be an option.

 

[VanDerchuck]

Throw in a non working Fender Fuzz wah, wire the Deluxe for 220 and you can pay the rest in sandwiches.

Consider it a deal. Hell, I'll throw in a 5' tall Kawasaki sign and some Arctic Cat parts.

 

[Paul G.]

My opinion…it is a musical instrument not some macramé. Take a really good picture of it, or get a professional to do it, frame and hang the photo.

Store the guitar in its case where it is safe. It is not safe on a wall. I was once sitting at a friends house when his original, mint 1954 all gold Les Paul just fell, hitting his mint 1956 Strat on the way down. Argh.

Play wear is ok. In fact honest play wear is better than ok. Dents from hangers, fade from excess light and possible damage from banging and falling are not.

P.

 

[WavMixer]

DON'T feed them after midnight-----er wait----never mind

Yeah, but if you get them wet, you can start your own SG collection! I guess that I better stop playing with my black light on.

 

[WavMixer]

Also if you stop burning the bud, you will stop fading.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Stop burning what ?? Faded ? Whats faded lol.

 

[VanDerchuck]

Don't take it to Sun Tan City.

 

[ypnos]

Also if you stop burning the bud, you will stop fading.

why stop doing that???i think the gibson logo and the holy inlay look great ambered..never sto burning the bud!!!bud is good,makes you high

 

[nippyjun]

Virtuoso polish is supposed to offer UV protection.

 

[DrBGood]

Buy a second one to keep in a vault, and play the **** out of this one.