Scratches on pickup cover?

[Flatwoundbass]

Hey all,

I have some minor scratches on the pickups of my recently acquired Orion 5.  I was wondering about the thickness of the plastic pickup covers and if they are substantial enough to tolerate a wet sand and buff to remove them?  Judging by the depth of the embossed "Alembic" lettering, it appears that I would be OK, but thought I'd ask around first...

Thanks!

Steve

[mica]

On a 5-string pickup there is no cover, the coil is enrobed in polyurethane in a silicone mold as a unit, forming the decorative portion of the pickup. You should have a little more than the depth of the letters before you would hit the coil (actually you'd hit the shielding first), so sand away.

[gtrguy]

Wet sanding (carefully) with 600 then 1000 or higher is good, with the right sandpaper. Don't get water all over though. Then I use a high quality rubbing compound (many are graded) and an old Tee shirt, and work it into a shine. Lastly I use wax.


Really deep scratches might need a more coarse paper, but it means you have to do more work sanding out the marks the coarse paper makes.

[flpete1uw]

David,
  Please give us an update on how well this works out. Maybe a few pictures?
I have a couple of Series pickups that the last owner / owners gouged grooves in them.
It hasn't gouged to the shielding or effected the sound in anyway, its just a cosmetic thing.
Curious on how well yours come out and method of polishing up.

Pete

[Flatwoundbass]

Thanks everyone!  Mica, that is reassuring news...I'll post some before and after pics when I'm done!

[edwardofhuncote]

+1 on David's tip... wet-sanding with fine/ultra-fine grit. I just fixed a chip in the ear of an AXY, then shined up like this.

Go easy on anything rougher than 600-grit, follow through with 1200-grit, then polish out with some rubbing compound. (I like Meguiar's #7)

[Flatwoundbass]

Success!


Sanded with 2000 grit and polished with Meguiar's Scratch-X.  They look like new again...thanks everyone!