PRS finish fade question (solid vs clear finishes)

[HexOmega]

Hi all, I know the topic of finish fading on cores has been discussed for a bit now and from what I gather it's due to absence of UV resistant finishes for blue see through finishes and anything that uses blue (greens and purples). To that end, I'm eyeing one of two wood library custom 24 cores that have solid finishes (one blue, the other in green). My question:

1. Does the finish fade issue apply to solid colors as well? I keep reading that the finishes fading on cores is due to PRS using dyes to stain the wood but does this also apply to solid/opaque finishes that PRS offers?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bodia]

Nope, the solid won’t fade.

 

[HexOmega]

Nope, the solid won’t fade.

Much appreciated. Is this because the finishing process is different on solids versus see through? If so what is that difference?

 

[d^rren]

It's the wood dyes that react to UV light.

 

[HexOmega]

It's the wood dyes that react to UV light.

Is it accurate to say that dyes are not used on solid finishes?

 

[d^rren]

Yes. Solid finishes use pigments, not dyes.

 

[HexOmega]

Well thanks guys! Time to make the wallet a lot lighter lol. Found three wood library Custom 24s with solid tops.

 

[direwolf08]

Well thanks guys! Time to make the wallet a lot lighter lol. Found three wood library Custom 24s with solid tops.

Gotta catch em all!

 

[Birdsofprey]

Well thanks guys! Time to make the wallet a lot lighter lol. Found three wood library Custom 24s with solid tops.

Would love to get a Custom 24 White! Not a Navarro model as I don’t want to be accosted while playing it.

 

[Mozzi]

Hi all, I know the topic of finish fading on cores has been discussed for a bit now and from what I gather it's due to absence of UV resistant finishes for blue see through finishes and anything that uses blue (greens and purples). To that end, I'm eyeing one of two wood library custom 24 cores that have solid finishes (one blue, the other in green). My question:

1. Does the finish fade issue apply to solid colors as well? I keep reading that the finishes fading on cores is due to PRS using dyes to stain the wood but does this also apply to solid/opaque finishes that PRS offers?

Thanks in advance!

There is quite a difference between Staining 'white' woods a colour and covering wood in a 'opaque' paint.

Solid colours can Fade too of course in UV light - Sun Bleaching - but can be made with more UV resistant pigment if you don't want anything of the 'natural' showing through. A good example maybe some wood stain you use on your garden fence compared with Paint. The Stain will likely fade in the sun quicker than Paint. Organic compounds also Break down quicker too hence UV can be used to sterilise too.

Blue Dyes for Staining are often Organic based dyes too. The difference is that Stains are changing the colour from 'white' Maple to Blue Maple, where as Opaque 'Paints' cover whatever 'colour' wood inc any imperfections with a solid, uniform colour. Put that 'Blue' stain on more 'yellow' woods and it looks more Green where as Blue paint will look Blue on Maple or Walnut.

If you left your 1960's Red Strat out in sunlight, it too would have faded over years so its not just Stains - but Organic Stains are likely to be the most susceptible to UV...

 

[dogrocketp]

I own 10 blue PRS from all different time periods. No fading on any of them. They are in their cases when not being played. I play a blue SE on outdoor gigs in the sun. Blue guitars sound better.

 

[HexOmega]

Hey all one last question: is this blue dye finish fade thing limited to Cores only? What about S2s and CEs? I found some ridiculously nice guitars in both categories there as well. Thanks again!

 

[Maertl513]

It's all blue translucent stains, which are endangered by ultra violet radiation.

 

[Mozzi]

Hey all one last question: is this blue dye finish fade thing limited to Cores only? What about S2s and CEs? I found some ridiculously nice guitars in both categories there as well. Thanks again!

Everything will fade if left in direct sunlight for long enough.

Most 59 bursts are NOT the original colour due to fading - they were all cherry bursts but the red faded - either completely (Lemonburst) or more Brown looking (Tobacco Burst) but they were all 'red' at one point.

In some cases, the fading can be uniform and 'slow' so you don't notice it until you compare it to new. If its such a concern, don't hang it on a wall or put it on a stand in direct Sunlight. I keep mine in their cases when not in use - not only does it protect them from accidental damage or getting dirty/dusty (especially with two cats in the house), it also protects them from UV damage too.

It really does depend on the stain - whether its made using 'organic' stains or pigment. Some Blues maybe made using Pigment but others maybe Organic to stain 'Organic' materials a different colour. Paint, as opposed to stain, is designed to 'cover' anything - inc Dark 'knots', dark woods etc, stains are designed to change the colour of the material. It was 'white' wood - now looks like 'blue' wood - so maybe it will be more likely to fade over time back to its natural colour. Paint can use thick pigment to cover any 'colour'. Its not changing white wood to blue, its covering wood.

A certain Blue Stain maybe made using Organic compounds - Blue organic compounds are used in OLED TV's too by the way and Organic compounds will break down with UV lighting where as Solid Paint is more likely to use Inorganic pigments that are thick enough to cover any imperfections and much more resilient to UV lighting, won't fade as fast....