Discoloration under pickguard

[Strat_3TSB]

Was working on my 09 American Standard in Blizzard Pearl today and was surprised how much discoloration there has been. I got the guitar new in 09, and it sat from about 2013-2020 in its hard case. Been playing it a lot lately. Not a big deal but figured id post it up to show.

The color under the pickguard i assume is its original state. Im curious if this is fairly common with certain colors.

 

[Intune]

My friends 2009ish American standard. Faded also. It is a thing even if not in direct sunlight. Maybe more so for certain colours but they all will do it eventually. Nitro or polyurethane.

 

[JDug]

My 2021 CS ‘60’s NOS
Its common

 

[Synapse2k]

it’ll happen on any plasticy type of finish which polyurethane is essentially. The clear that is exposed to oxygen and light will turn yellow with time. It’s slow and gradual so you don’t notice but once the pickguard is off you see the difference. The yellowing is desirable to many players.