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Post subject: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:49 am
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Hi y'all at Fender Community,

My Fender The Strat (1979) has been exposed to nicotine and smoking conditions for years and years, and (of course!) the lacquer lost its original color (Lake Placid Blue, I presume).

Does anybody know how I can regain the original lacquer-color, i.o.w. is there any cleanser that can do the job?

Thanks in advance,
Jim


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:31 am
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http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/1 ... ars-finish

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/1 ... ars-finish


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:00 am
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Are you sure it's the tobacco smoke, and not just the lacquer aging?
If the latter, no amount of cleaning will restore the original color.
Scars of honor, I might add...


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:08 am
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Take the trem cover off the back and see if it's the color you desire for the entire guitar first. If it is tobacco stain, naphtha will removed it, but it might be a combination on tobacco and natural aging of the finish.


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:57 am
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jmattis wrote:
Are you sure it's the tobacco smoke, and not just the lacquer aging?
If the latter, no amount of cleaning will restore the original color.
Scars of honor, I might add...


+1

Substrate changes to the clear coat or the actual color due to age occur at the molecular level and there is no known method of reversing the process save for a total refinish. A thorough cleaning and polishing will often remove any surface patina but will not address the fundamental issue.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:15 am
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Try a small rag dipped in kerosene rubbed lightly in a circuler motion.
It cleaned my black strat nicely.


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:22 am
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All good tips above regarding possible cleaning methods...and the possibility of irreversible changes to the finish over time that just need to be appreciated.

I will add the standard warning: Test cleaning processes in a small area that is not obviously seen...just in case you do something you wish you didn't...

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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:29 am
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I think vinegar will also work. Soak the guitar one side at a time for 15 minutes, then dry.
Repeat.
Vinegar takes out all manner of stains.


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:30 am
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HeyJoe42 wrote:

I will add the standard warning: Test cleaning processes in a small area that is not obviously seen...just in case you do something you wish you didn't...

Right on, I was just going to edit my previous post, especially after reading this:
Slenderman wrote:
small rag dipped in kerosene

Now, "kerosene" may mean a lot of different things depending on where one lives - from airplane fuel to lamp oil...
Naphta (as in Zippo fluid) is nitro safe, all kerosenes might not be.

Edit: What the heck, Slenderman - you trying to ruin the guy's axe? :roll:


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:11 pm
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Slenderman wrote:
I think vinegar will also work. Soak the guitar one side at a time for 15 minutes, then dry.
Repeat.
Vinegar takes out all manner of stains.


Vinegar takes out a lot more than stains. You don't want strong acids anywhere near a nitro finish, bare wood, plastic parts or chrome plating. That doesn't leave much.


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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:18 pm
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Now I have a song in my head--thanks to thinking-Smoke on My Strat"-and the song in my head was played on a Strat.

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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:52 pm
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jmattis wrote:
Edit: What the heck, Slenderman - you trying to ruin the guy's axe? :roll:


+1

Only eight posts and I've already relegated him to my "foe" list......a new forum record!

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 3:52 pm
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There is no such thing as nicotine staining.
Nicotine is colourless and odourless.
The tar in cigarette and cigar smoke is what can cause discolouration, along with the natural aging of the nitrocellulose finish.

The guitar has lived a bit and carries battle scars - just love it for what it is!

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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:16 pm
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Stratmangler2 wrote:
The guitar has lived a bit and carries battle scars - just love it for what it is!


+1

That's it, encapsulated in a nutshell.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How can I remove smoke deposit from my The Strat?
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:24 pm
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I have had good luck in removing tobacco tar stain from car interiors but first using simple green, then a good liquid way spray.

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