How Long Should It Take…?

…for my R9 to fade a bit more from Cherry Sunburst to a more Lemon color if I let it sit outside in direct sunlight? What are the risks?

That's a nice dark cherry

What year is your R9?

And I'd been led to believe you lot over there took your lawns seriously....

Double post... sorry....

Aniline dye is only on the back and sides, not the top. So it won't fade as extreme as the 50's guitars. Why not just buy a lemon top?

Torren61 said:

What are the risks?

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That I'll drive by and see it out there being neglected and asking for a new home......

Birds using it for target practice, maybe.
Sudden hailstorm.

Sometimes they can seem.to darken as the top coat ambers.

Torren61 said:

… What are the risks?

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Squirrels.

VictorB said:

What year is your R9?

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2022 Murphy Lab

scgarman said:

Aniline dye is only on the back and sides, not the top. So it won't fade as extreme as the 50's guitars. Why not just buy a lemon top?

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I’ve thought about it but I’d have to sell mine or find someone who has a lemon top and wants to trade.

The back and sides definitely fade more than the top on these, though I have seen the tops fade a bit after being left in rooms that get plenty of light. Would be very curious to see how much the top fades after some proper sunbathing

I'd cover the fretboard, unless you're OK with that fading as well. Your plastics may start to yellow, if that sort of thing bothers you.

Skin cancer

Direct sunlight outside will heat the guitar enough to soften
the glue.
it will also dry out the wood, and can cause it to shrink.
Some horror stories...
Center seam split
Fret sprout
Neck twist
Cracking plastic
Best method, sit it in front of a sunny window, in an air conditioned
room for a few hours a day.
Store it in the case, with a case humidifier or half an apple
(of course change out the apple regularly).
If you have UV Glass windows, that trick won't work.

DelawareGold said:

Direct sunlight outside will heat the guitar enough to soften
the glue.
it will also dry out the wood, and can cause it to shrink.
Some horror stories...
Center seam split
Fret sprout
Neck twist
Cracking plastic
Best method, sit it in front of a sunny window, in an air conditioned
room for a few hours a day.
Store it in the case, with a case humidifier or half an apple
(of course change out the apple regularly).
If you have UV Glass windows, that trick won't work.

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Sunbath idea aborted. Thanks !

You could get the red to fade a bit. But going all the way to lemon? I don’t think it will get there in your lifetime.

Dilver said:

You could get the red to fade a bit. But going all the way to lemon? I don’t think it will get there in your lifetime.

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Challenge accepted. Meet you back here in 20 years.

Cover the fretboard if you do suntan it. A few people here have faded theirs over the years. I believe it takes a good 200-300 hours.

Another option is getting the top refinished.