[cybermgk]

Okay, unlike some, I actually like the big chrome pup rings on the new Pro Jets.

What I didn't like cosmetically, was the glaring white pearloid guard.

What I really want to do is get Mr Setzer to make me a back colored Copper and or Silver guard.

But, thougt I'd try a technique I read about. It uses Rit Syes to dye the plastic. The color is changed, and it's in the plastic.

Well, the process worked great. I'm just not certain, I like the color I ended up with. I do think it's better than the bright white, but it isn't what I was aiming for. I was going for a more rust color. May try again with a reddish brown and dye a little redder and darker..

Basically mix dye color in pan. Heat oven to 150-200 degrees. Put guard in pan of dye, all into oven. Check for color every 5-10 minutes. Make sure pickguard isn't warping, straigten as needed.

Before


After

[JMator]

Very cool!

[acousticplays]

Awesome!

[Crooner]

Very cool. I kind of see what you’re saying about making the color a little less vibrant. If it won’t overcook the pickguard, go for it.

[Tony65x55]

Nice. I hate pearloid pickguards and when I got my Jet, the pickguard came off so fast it would spin your head.

[cybermgk]

Reworked it a little with the colors of Dye I had. Was able to moot the orangeyness and vibrancy. Wasn't the color I originally aimed for, but will work.

[Crooner]

Ooh. Nice!

[cybermgk]

FYI

MY Procedure list.

What you will need:
Rit dyes
Salt
Shallow flat bottom pan large enough to hold pickguard.
metal spatula or other tool to pull guard from dye.
PREFERABLE, test material.
Rubber gloves if you like

Note: Rit's Color forumal pages can help you determine what forumla to use for a color. The formulas on this site is for the liquid. My calculations put the powders at a 2 to 1 for the liquid. I.e. 2 TSP powder = 1 TSP liquid.

1. Wash the pickguard completely. Rinse completely and dry.
2. Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
3. Mix dye color for wanted color. The formula charts above are for 1 cup. You should only need 1 cup, maybe 2 depending on pan.
4. Pour dye into pan.
5. Add salt as designated by dye package. This seemed to help the dye impregnate the plastic better. I didn't use it at first.
6. Place pan into oven (middle rack)
7. Slide pickguard into pan. Top goes up. Make sure it's covered
8. Let cook for 10 minutes.
9. Check color of guard.
- Pull out of dye and place on a flat surface
- Completely wipe off dye with paper towels.
- Flatten the pickguard if needed (heat softens the plastic).
10, If color is what you want, wash with soap, then rinse in cold water, dry completely.
11. If color is not what you want, or enough, then repeat 7-10 until done.

IF you have test material run through 7-10 once or twice to see that you have dye color like you want. If not add color until you do.

May take successive 'dunks'. I found the color got darker and more intense with each.

[telespank]

What a great idea. It looks good!

[MoonshineCalbilly]

Very nice job and one beautiful axe as a result...