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Post new topic Can mica on a steel be replaced?
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Author Topic:  Can mica on a steel be replaced?
Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jul 2007 6:00 pm    
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I've been toying with the idea of replacing the mica on my MCI with a different color. Does anybody do this kind of work?

I remember hearing that it needs to be applied under great pressure when it comes to a steel. True? Or is it no more difficult than applying mica onto a counter top?

Let the input begin!
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Bill Dobkins


From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jul 2007 6:28 pm    
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Mike I just had my Steel seat finished with formica.
It had vinyl on it and I wanted to match the color of my Steel. I took it a Cabinet shop, they stipped the vinyl off, removed the glue and put the formica on.I picked it up an hour later and cost me 20 bucks.
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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jul 2007 9:26 pm    
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It's about the same as re-doing a counter top as the toughest part is removing the old mica. I use a heat gun that I got from a model shop- just like a hair dryer but gets hotter- take your time and a use a stiff putty knife/scraper.
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Ulf Edlund


From:
UmeƄ, Sweden
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 2:38 am    
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I've just finishing a re-mica job on my Franklin guitar. It had been refinished with wood veneer and i've refinished it with black formica.
It's a quite big job. Requires the right tools, patience, some skills, a workbench and time.
Carter has some good videoclips at http://www.steelguitarinfo.com/infoindex.html
Go to "restorations"

Uffe
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 3:37 am    
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Thanks everyone. I was afraid there might be some special procedure involved, but having re-laminated counter tops before, I can see the procedures are really the same...except for being infinitely more careful and exact. The Carter renovation videos were helpful, and I already have all the tools needed.

I'll be tackling this project later in the early fall. Now, to select the laminate! So many choices!! Laughing
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Steve Hamill

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 5:00 am    
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How about Paisley? Laughing
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 5:09 am    
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Ha, ha!! 40 years ago, I'd have agreed! Laughing
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Jerry Hayes


From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 6:25 am    
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Mike, about 4 years ago I bought a strip of Oak veneer at one of the home centers and glued it to the front of my BMI. The top and back are still black. Here's what it looks like......JH in Va.

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Dan Burnham


From:
Greenfield, Tennessee
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 7:08 am     Jerry she looks good!
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Jerry you did a good job.
dan
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 7:11 am    
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Yes, you did, Jerry. Very nice job.

Is that a Uni?
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Mike
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Jerry Hayes


From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2007 1:24 pm    
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Thanks Dan & Mike, the strip came in almost the exact width I needed and was 36" long so I just cut off the end to the length I needed and got a block sander and rounded off all the edges. I then sanded the front 'til it was nice and smooth and stained it with a medium oak stain and finished it with a spray on medium gloss finish. It looks just like it came from the factory this way and I really like the way it contrasts to the black on the top and neck....JH in Va.
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Rex Myers


From:
Risingsun Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2007 12:47 am    
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Nice work on the BMI Jerry, I removed the front corner block and slide the Piece of Mica out and replaced it with my own maple Laminate but wasn't satisfied so I changed it back I didin't look as nice as your's so heres the BMI back to factory Look Very Happy
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A. J. Schobert

 

From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2007 5:52 am    
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Hey Mike I think you want horizontal grade not vertical grade, and the laminate needs to be atleast .25-.29" thick. Basically the laminate the sell at home depot will work fine. Do some research and double check to see if I am wrong I am just going by my memory.
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