Relicing without repaint
Light Relic
€400
A vintage-inspired feel for the body and neck, with natural dents and light scratches. The instrument parts are aged to create one consistent result.
Guitar relicing · Nitro Refinish
Custom Shop vibe, mojo and a vintage feel.
Story
Relicpaja was born in the spring of 2025, when a friend of mine asked me to relic two guitars for a summer festival tour. When the instruments were finished, I thought that maybe someone else would also want that cool Custom Shop vibe for their guitar – and so, Relicpaja was founded.
I have been honing my relicing skills for over 15 years. Through trial, error, and success, I have found a way to give an instrument a vintage feel, not just the look.
I work on both poly- and nitro-finished instruments. In addition to relicing, I offer nitro painting and lacquering, which elevate the instrument's feel and look to almost magical proportions through authentic nitro checking and the desired level of relicing.
Relicpaja's guitars can be seen on festival stages, in studios, and in home use. I make instruments for professional musicians, hobbyists, and everyone in between
In my opinion, a guitar or bass should feel good, sound great, and look amazing both on stage and in photos. I work on every instrument with the mindset that I would happily play it myself for the rest of my life.
Petri Syväkangas
Founder of Relicpaja
Relicpaja
Services and products
Choose a service or product, add it to your selection and send one combined enquiry.
Services
Relicing without repaint
Medium Relic
€480
Includes the Light Relic treatment with additional natural edge wear. A light wood exposure can be added to the upper body edge and optional buckle wear to the back.
Relicing without repaint
Heavy Relic
€590
Includes the Medium Relic treatment with a heavily worn road-worn appearance. A large area of exposed wood is created on the upper body edge and can also be added to the back. The instrument parts are aged to create one consistent result. The preliminary price will be confirmed before the work begins.
Nitro refinish + relic
Light Relic
€680
Preparation of the complete instrument for refinishing, nitro colour and clear lacquer, followed by a Light Relic treatment. Typical turnaround time is approximately 3–4 months. Faster completion in around two months is available for an additional €150. The preliminary price will be confirmed before the work begins.
Nitro refinish + relic
Medium Relic
€680
Preparation of the complete instrument for refinishing, nitro colour and clear lacquer, followed by a Medium Relic treatment. Typical turnaround time is approximately 3–4 months. Faster completion in around two months is available for an additional €150.
Nitro refinish + relic
Heavy Relic
€680
Preparation of the complete instrument for refinishing, nitro colour and clear lacquer, followed by a Heavy Relic treatment. Typical turnaround time is approximately 3–4 months. Faster completion in around two months is available for an additional €150.
Products
Relicpaja cap
Black trucker cap
€40
A black Relicpaja cap available in two different materials and styles.
Relicpaja cap
Black corduroy-style cap
€40
A black Relicpaja cap available in two different materials and styles.
Relicpaja beanie
Black beanie with folded cuff
€40
A black Relicpaja beanie available with or without a pom-pom.
Relicpaja beanie
Black beanie with pom-pom and folded cuff
€40
A black Relicpaja beanie available with or without a pom-pom.
The enquiry is not a binding order. You can add several products, change quantities and include any additional information before sending.
Relicpaja
Gallery
Select an image to view the work in more detail. Every image can also be opened in full-screen view.
Fender SRV Stratocaster
Nitro Refinish & Relic
Firemist Gold nitro refinish, nitro checking, medium relic. Check Instagram for more photos and videos.
Fender-neck/Squier-body Jazzmaster
Nitro Refinish & Relic
Aztec Gold nitro refinish, nitro checking, medium relic. Check Instagram for more photos and videos.
Harley Benton TE-53KR
Nitro Refinish & Relic
Butterscotch Amber nitro refinish, nitro checking, heavy relic. Check Instagram for more photos and videos.
The process
How your instrument is transformed
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Disassembly
The instrument is carefully disassembled down to its individual parts. Electronics are normally left untouched. During a refinish, only the necessary solder joints are disconnected so the body can be worked on.
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Removing the original finish
The original finish is removed only during a full refinish. Depending on the surface, this is done chemically or by sanding. Large flat surfaces may be first machine-sanded, while detailed areas are completed by hand.
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Surface preparation
The surface is prepared to receive the new finish. Small dents and scratches can be reduced if wanted. I love working with wood's natural grain and movement. They add the character to the superb results.
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Painting
Primer, colour and clear coats are applied using Nitorlack nitrocellulose products. This provides a vintage-inspired result and makes natural nitro checking possible.
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Lacquering
The nitro lacquer is selected specifically for aging work. A thin, responsive lacquer surface creates the foundation for natural feel, patina and checking.
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Curing
The nitro finish is allowed to cure for approximately four weeks. Adequate curing time is essential for the desired feel, durability and final result.
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Vintage feel
After curing, the finish is treated to achieve its final feel. The aim is a played-in and familiar surface that feels as though the instrument has already lived a long musical life.
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Relicing and aging
Wear is created by hand with close attention to the construction and character of the instrument. The process combines several aging techniques and added patina.
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Lacquer checking
A newly applied Relicpaja's nitro finish can be given natural cold-induced checking without physical contact. On poly finishes, checking can be simulated separately using a precision blade.
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Finalising and delivery
The finished instrument is completed and shipped using the customer’s preferred delivery service. Within the EU, courier delivery is normally used. Shipping costs and optional insurance are agreed separately.
Relicpaja craftsmanship
Every instrument is unique
Reference photos, preferences and the desired relic level are considered carefully, but exact copies are not produced. Every project carries Relicpaja’s own craftsmanship, and nitro checking develops individually.
Good to know
Relicpaja is not a guitar repair shop
Relicpaja specialises in relicing and refinish work. Fretwork, electronics repairs and routing are not provided. During refinishing, only the necessary wires are disconnected and soldered back into their original positions. Because I am not a guitar builder, the reliability of the electronics must be checked by a qualified professional before the instrument is connected to an amplifier or other powered equipment.
Relicpaja
Feedback
Feedback on instruments finished by Relicpaja.
“This is an unbelievably good package. I previously owned a Custom Shop Tele, and this is on the same level. I expected excellent work, but the result still exceeded my expectations.”
“The neck feels incredible and the guitar is difficult to put down. The appearance is exactly right. I have been amazed since the moment I first held it.”
“The matte finish looks and feels great. I never realised that relicing was all about the feel and that the looks were secondary. Now it is hard to put the guitar down.”
“The plastic factory feel is gone and the real guitar can finally come through. It feels as though it has been played in over several decades.”
“The neck is incredible and the sound is amazing. This Stratocaster is now an exceptionally inspiring instrument.”
“Excellent playability and an exceptionally smooth feel.”
“The playing feel is exceptionally smooth.”
“Thank you, Petri. An excellent project and a result that met and even exceeded my expectations. A very strong recommendation.”
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about relicing, nitro finishes, schedules and starting a project.
How much does guitar relicing or a relic refinish cost?
Light Relic without repainting starts from €400. Medium Relic costs €480. A Nitro refinish + relic for a complete instrument starts from €680, excluding shipping. Special requests, faster turnaround and additional work may affect the final price.
How long does relicing or refinishing take?
A light relic job usually takes around one month. The standard turnaround time for a Nitro refinish + relic is approximately 3–4 months. Faster completion can be agreed separately for an additional fee.
How does relicing or refinishing affect the guitar?
Relicing can significantly change how an instrument feels. The stickiness of a factory finish is reduced, and the guitar feels more played-in and vintage-inspired. A refinish can completely renew both the feel and appearance of the instrument.
How can I influence the relicing or refinishing process?
Every instrument is made for the customer and their individual needs. You can send reference photos, colour preferences and ideas about the desired level of wear. You can also give Relicpaja more freedom to design the final result.
Can a polyurethane-finished guitar be reliced?
Yes. Poly-finished instruments can also be reliced. The final result and working methods depend on the existing finish, but for example a Light Relic treatment works very well on a poly-finished guitar offering a fine Custom Shop feel.
Can plastic and metal parts also be aged?
Yes. Aging the instrument’s parts is normally included in the relicing project unless the customer wants them left untouched. You can also bring only plastic parts to Relicpaja for aging.
What else is included besides relicing or painting?
The service includes customer consultation, planning, progress photos during the work and a final setup for the best possible playing feel. Relicpaja does not perform fretwork or electronics work.
Can relicing damage the guitar’s playability?
The aim is the opposite: the instrument should feel better, resonate more freely and be more inspiring to play. Depending on the buyer, relicing and refinishing may still affect resale value in different ways.
Can I get a completely factory-new finish?
Relicpaja specialises in relic finishes, so a completely factory-new NOS-style finish is not a service. However, the level of relicing can be very subtle and restrained.
Can you add a major guitar manufacturer’s logo to an unbranded guitar?
No. This is not permitted and is not available from Relicpaja.
How do I deliver my guitar to Relicpaja?
The guitar can be brought or shipped to Relicpaja in Nurmijärvi. Collection or delivery in Helsinki can also be arranged separately. Shipping costs and any insurance are the customer’s responsibility. Within the EU, UPS is the primary courier service. Insurance and shipping costs are agreed separately with the customer.
Do you accept instalment payments?
No. The full payment is made when the guitar is finished. Payment must be completed before collection or delivery.
Can I get a Nitro refinish + relic completed faster?
Yes. The standard turnaround time is 3–4 months, but a faster completion time of approximately two months can be arranged separately for an additional fee.
Can you explain how you create the relic finish?
Relicpaja’s methods have been developed over a long period through experimentation, mistakes and successful results. The exact techniques and details remain part of Relicpaja’s own professional expertise.
Can you level frets, replace electronics or perform routing work?
No. Relicpaja does not perform guitar-building work, fretwork, electronics work or routing. During refinishing, only the necessary wires are disconnected and soldered back into their original positions.
What paints and colours can I choose?
Relicpaja primarily uses Nitorlack products. Their standard colour range is available directly, and a custom colour can be produced for an additional fee. Colours may vary slightly depending on lighting, materials and the yellowing of the lacquer.
Can any guitar model be reliced or refinished?
Always ask before confirming the project. Many guitar models can be worked on, but there may be exceptions depending on the instrument’s construction, existing finish or desired result.
Which shipping services do you use?
Within Finland, shipping can be arranged through Posti or Matkahuolto according to the customer’s preference. Within the EU, UPS is the primary courier service. Insurance and shipping costs are agreed separately with the customer.
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