Advice on fading les paul classic

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

I've decided to fade my baby down once and for all... any advice on how this should be done would greatly appreciated... as you can see in the pics she is a cherryburst les paul classic premium plus from 2000.

[MeKevin]

Good looking guitar, there is a lot of info in the custom section. NicholasRivera is the expert! It's sometimes easier to search mylespaul using google.

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

Yeah I've searched the forum and found lots of different results... sun fading, tanning beds, etc... I just need some advice on which one is the most risk-free and effective way that will not completely ruin the appearance and value of my guitar.

[Oranjeaap]

I dont think the paint used on USA gibsons will easily fade. Sunlight might do the trick but it would probably take ages. I live next to a tanning salloon and I go there for a tan every once in a while. When Im under the tanning bed, I wonder if it would fade a Les Paul. One day I'll try.

Untill then: just play the shit out of it

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

Also, I'm looking for advise on darkening the binding while I'm at it

[Oranjeaap]

Originally Posted by thexmadxtopxhatter

Also, I'm looking for advise on darkening the binding while I'm at it

You could try shoe polish or anything that leaves a yellow residue. Cigarette smoke is usually what makes the guitar go yellow. Do you smoke?

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

And thanks for the reply orange, the last two weeks i've been fading it through my open bedroom window and haven't noticed much change yet

[Mike60]

Originally Posted by thexmadxtopxhatter

Yeah I've searched the forum and found lots of different results... sun fading, tanning beds, etc... I just need some advice on which one is the most risk-free and effective way that will not completely ruin the appearance and value of my guitar.

...cover the fretboard as sunlight bleaches rosewood alot and leave outside in direct sunlight for about 4-6 months or less depending on how much fade you are looking for.If you do not want the binding to whiten,tape it off.If you do not want the sides or back to fade,them you'll have to tape or cover as well.

Warning...modern finishes can be faded but usually will NOT fade to the colours or shades of older real nitro finishes.

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

I'm 15 so the smokes not happenin

[Oranjeaap]

Well you wont ever see any change that way. It fades very slowly. You cant see a plant grow either, it goes very slowly. Only way you can actually see it fade is to compare with a covered piece of laquer (under the pokerchip is good for example)

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

Originally Posted by Mike60

...cover the fretboard as sunlight bleaches rosewood alot and leave outside in direct sunlight for about 4-6 months or less depending on how much fade you are looking for.If you do not want the binding to whiten,tape it off.If you do not want the sides or back to fade,them you'll have to tape or cover as well.

Warning...modern finishes can be faded but usually will NOT fade to the colours or shades of older real nitro finishes.

What kinda color should i be expecting once its faded?

[Mike60]

Mummified R9's...

[Oranjeaap]

In the end, it would probably turn more like orange. But I dont think you will ever really lose the red. You've bought the wrong guitar if you dont like the color

[MeKevin]

I don't think that the new colors fade as much as 10 years ago, and the nitro will not yellow as much with all the plastizers in it. I've had my trad pro for 1 1/2 years, and I looked at A LOT of stuff on the internet. It's faded a little bit, (not quite as much as the link provided) but I don't really care anymore, it's grown on me. Mine is not as dark as the OP's.
My 2011 Trad Is Fading Fast, And I Love It..

[Oranjeaap]

I know historics can be faded, Im quite sure they use different laquer

[Mike60]

Originally Posted by thexmadxtopxhatter

What kinda color should i be expecting once its faded?

that depends on what shades are shot in the finish.Crap shoot as to what you'll end up with.

Normally cannot get ice tea as the modern cherry sunbursts have no brown tint in it...

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

after two weeks of hour long sun fading...

[MeKevin]

It's a chemical process that the sun starts, and it is not immediatly noticible, unlike the original burst which I have read started fading right away. Your guitar looks dark, and you want to fade it, so yellowing the nitro would be counter-productive. There is not too much else you can do besides sunlight. If you are 15, you've got a bit of time. There are a lot of discussions about the binding, if you are going to do yours, I would try not to darken the nitro on top, just the binding.

Aging the Binding???

[GuitarMechanic]

Originally Posted by Mike60

Mummified R9's...

Cool shot but I don't think it's gonna work too well with all the additives in the modern paint
PS
I love the Barry avatar

[Oranjeaap]

Here you can see my 1991 LP Classic:
NGD LP Classic (clownburst alert)

Ill take some pictures from under the pokerchip later. It been played for 20 years as you can see from the wear. Binding has yellowed quite a bid, but still its RED

Again: dont expext any change, the laquer just wont allow fading like it used to

[Oranjeaap]

Originally Posted by GuitarMechanic

Cool shot but I don't think it's gonna work too well with all the additives in the modern paint
PS
I love the Barry avatar

If I remember the thread correctly, those Reissues DID fade (dont ask me how much)

[MeKevin]

NicholasRivera has had some great results with the modern formulation. That guy could charge thousands. Car paint doesn't fade too much, but most paint, such as house paint or boat paint fades moderatelly. I am not 100% sure where Gibson's paint is, but I do know that some people have had success.

[Oranjeaap]

Nic faded an Historic R8 not a regular Gibson. I think they use different paint

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

do they still sell that binding stain?

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by thexmadxtopxhatter

after two weeks of hour long sun fading...

In all that time you could have been playing it.

RichBrew

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

Originally Posted by RichBrew

In all that time you could have been playing it.

RichBrew

I do! Thats what i do when i'm doing homework in my room

[nicolasrivera]

Originally Posted by thexmadxtopxhatter

I've decided to fade my baby down once and for all... any advice on how this should be done would greatly appreciated... as you can see in the pics she is a cherryburst les paul classic premium plus from 2000.

Great, it is from 2000 so it will fade better, now what is the look you are looking for? That is your first question in order to understand if it really will fade to that, I can tell you she will never be a lemon drop or unburst.

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

something like this

[nicolasrivera]

Yes it will, just protect with cardboard the fretboard and if your PUs are potted take them out or the wax will melt because you are in for some 4 hours a day of direct sun light for a month everyday to achieve great result, but this may vary.

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

Thanks for the help rivera... the pickups are the stock classics so they are gibson ceramics which i believe are not potted... can't wait till shes done, i'll make sure to post pics occasionally throughout the process