Color Fade

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 26 Jul 2024 7:39 am

We've seen this countless times but it still gets to me.

A 49 year old Sho-Bud 6160, 1975 color vs. 2024 color.

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 26 Jul 2024 8:13 am

Many companies including Sho-Bud used organic, Human safe food colors, To make those pretty colored steel bodies.

Time and exposure to sunlight takes its toll.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 26 Jul 2024 8:38 am

I have a 1975 green MSA that was a homebound guitar until I bought it 3 years ago. It's had little time in the sun, but I can see it fading. I also have a 1976 brown MSA that I bought new and it's had outside and inside use over the years. It still retains its color. I guess the green was a food coloring color. I've noticed that the red MSA's turn more orange over the years.

K Maul · Post by **K Maul** » 26 Jul 2024 8:57 am

I had a Crossover that had an almost leather brown color which I loved. I found that same greenish/blue color underneath when I took some parts off for cleaning.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 26 Jul 2024 9:53 am

Are going to strip it? Re-dye it?

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 26 Jul 2024 10:13 am

Bud Angelotti wrote:Are going to strip it? Re-dye it?

Re-dye? Absolutely not. No finish work. I love how it looks. Honest aging.
Changer goes for a soak. Some new swivels. New springs where needed. Rerod. I look forward to returning this guitar to the rotation.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 27 Jul 2024 3:32 am

I had a Pro I that sat in the south window of a music store for years before I bought it. Cherry red had become a pale pinkish orange.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 27 Jul 2024 3:39 am

This is not Playbud centerfold material like some of the gorgeous restorations that have been shown here. My new Sierra is proof of my appreciation of show-stopping beauty. But I wouldn't change a thing about this 49 year old guitar (except to get it playing better which is why I've pulled the changer and I'm going to replace a number of swivels).

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 28 Jul 2024 8:00 am

The aniline dye used back then was particularly sensitive to uv light hence the fading.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 28 Jul 2024 1:02 pm

Yes Jim P. is so right; the lacquer back then certainly did not prevent fading of the dye. One time I sat down to Lloyd Green's LDG at his house and immediately said: "Lloyd how in the world is the first LDG is still so Green; and mine(the second one made) is way more faded compared to yours??" he said: "Ricky; very simple, when I'm not sitting at my Steel; it is COVERD and most of it's life has been used in the Studio; Ricky, You live in Texas and you play out in the middle of a Cow Pasture; every other week> Do the Math"...
ha...LOL....we did both laugh but there ya go>
here's Lloyds(yes we have matching green cabs made by Rick Johnson)

here's mine>

Ricky

Paul Redmond · Post by **Paul Redmond** » 2 Aug 2024 12:15 pm

Whether stained, tinted, or painted, I have always topped off my lacquer jobs with automotive clear lacquer rather than the outdated nitrocellulose types used on furniture. Automotive clear lacquer has a ton of UV inhibitors in it. It also can be washed with a damp rag and detergent without fear of water spotting. It can also be waxed just like your car. Been doing this for decades with 100% positive results. It's not cheap nowadays. I bought a quart about 5 years ago and it was 47 bucks plus tax. A gallon of thinner was 19 bucks. Some dealers will allow you to buy only a pint of the clear. I use a small "trim" gun used for door, trunk, and hood openings.
PRR