Pickguard removal

[cbarclay]

Anyone have suggestions for how to remove my pickguard?  I'm a little apprehensive about doing it because I don't know if there will be an obvious tan line (is there any way to tell without taking the 'guard off?).   I'm also curious if I take it off and it looks like it's wearing the wrong swimsuit can I slap it back on?
Here's the specimen:

[guitom]

I don't know if there's any way to tell if there's a tan line without removing it, but you could probably start to peel it back a bit and replace it quickly if you see the tan line.  It might still not stick well.  In that case you'd probably want to pull it all the way off and put it back on with new adhesive. 

It's easy to remove a pickguard, I've done a few times including on the Larrivee.  Just lay it on the floor and point a hair dryer on it.  I don't use the hottest setting.  After a couple minutes you can try to put a finger nail under the top of the guard (the pointiest part).  When you're able to peel it back a bit, keep the the hair dryer pointed at the guard and peel back very, very slowly.

I use a little goo gone on a cloth to remove the adhesive left on the guitar.  Actually I've only done it on gloss finishes so I don't if that's the best thing to use on an L-03.  If you want to replace it, you'll probably need more adhesive.  Let me know, I can send you a sheet I got from LMI.

Good luck.  By the way, I loved your story.  Nothing better than a good road trip.  I hope you heard Big River at some point on the trip!

Jon (I bought your Orchid)

[cbarclay]

Thanks for the tips, Jon. I remember hearing about using a hair dryer on low now that you mention it.
I'll give that a try. That's also for your offer of the guard adhesive - I'll let you know.

[Danny]

  I have removed many, but when I bought my Martin OM-21 and posted that I wanted to remove the PG, Tuffy suggested for me not to. I didn't and am very glad I didn't. It really only bugged me the first two weeks or so. But if you do remove it be very gentle, go extremely slow and keep sharp metal tools away from the guitar top.
 

[cbarclay]

I ended up removing it last night.  I took my time and was able to remove it cleanly.  It took some elbow grease (nearly ran out!) to get the adhesive off.  Then I worked on "Lowdenizing" the body. I wanted the guard off since I was doing that anyway. 
It left a subtle tan line that kinda bothers me.  I strongly prefer L's to not have guards but may put this one back on. 
Do y'all know of a way to speed up the process of getting the top to blend better?  I can't think of anything aside from sitting it in a tanning booth (not gonna do it) or setting it in a safe place in the evening sun (I actually have that available to me in my kitchen - my 110 year old windows don't exactly block UV).


Jon, now that I think of it, I may take you up on your offer to send me some of that adhesive.

[Danny]

  I wouldn't glue the same guard back, just get another. And the idea for setting it by a window and monitoring it would decrease the time of the line blending in.

[cbarclay]

Thanks Danny!

[Mr_LV19E]

The tan line will fade, just give it time. It will happen faster out of the case.