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Author Topic: Guitar painting/finishing  (Read 3191 times)

Ian Price

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Guitar painting/finishing
« on: January 01, 2010, 10:37:03 PM »
Evening all and a happy new year to everyone.

At some point this year my two nephews and Daughter have asked if they can paint a guitar for me. Sounds like a nice idea so I am up for it. What I'll probably end up doing is buying an unfinished body (probably tele) and get it  sanded and sprayed in white. The question is if the kids paint pictures, patterns etc on it what is the best paint to use?

I'm not that experienced in finishing guitars so would be good to get some pointers.

Cheers!

Ian.
I think I hate being indecisive.

AndyR

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2010, 11:45:16 AM »
I'd recommend acrylics.

My old JV Squier Strat is painted with Winsor Newton acrylic paints and then sealed with many coats of Plasti-kote clear satin.
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Dreded

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2010, 08:19:06 PM »
Well, even rattlecans will do the job, if the coats are light. However, the most important thing to consider is the toxicity of paints. Rattlecans can be mildly upsetting, while some paints (can't remember the name) that are used in the industry are so toxic you have to keep the ventilation constant and wear full body suits of how irritating the stuff is. My dad had to work with some kind of similar stuff painting trains, when I was a kid, that could've killed him if he carried on doing it. Health first. Also, there's such costs as primer and lacquer. As far as primer goes, aerosols are cheaper than spray guns, and they get the job done. Not entirely sure about different qualities+prices of lacquer, so I'll keep my trap shut.

Hope this helped any, if at all.  :)

tomjackson

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2010, 08:48:46 PM »

Not Nitro!

I think there are wipe on poly finishes Ian, I wouldn't recommend any spraying near little ones becuase you may have to add turps to their bath later in the day (which could damage your bath)

What about a sealer coat applied by yourself, then the kids do their thing with markers or acryillic pots, let it dry and then laquer over the top?

Or, just let them go to work with their pencil cases on your new strat.....

gwEm

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2010, 11:12:27 AM »
What about a sealer coat applied by yourself, then the kids do their thing with markers or acryillic pots, let it dry and then laquer over the top?

this is how i would do it too
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AndyR

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2010, 12:34:28 PM »
What about a sealer coat applied by yourself, then the kids do their thing with markers or acryillic pots, let it dry and then laquer over the top?

this is how i would do it too

Yep, that's how I did it...

But this sounds effective too:

Or, just let them go to work with their pencil cases on your new strat.....

:lol:
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Ian Price

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2010, 03:20:56 PM »
Cheers guys, I think the sealer, markers, lacquer route sounds the best best.

Not sure about the pencil cases/strat idea though!
I think I hate being indecisive.

darcym

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2010, 08:20:47 PM »
may I suggest what I've done with a paint job on one of my strats.

Get it sprayed with a bass coat from a professional, let the kids loose on it, send it back to get a professional finish on it.

It's worth it I promise.

I can give you the name of a couple of solid paint guys/shops

WezV

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Re: Guitar painting/finishing
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2010, 08:26:40 PM »
that does work well - but you really need to ensure compatability of lacquers, paints and inks first.  Last thing you want is to send it off for clear and have it destroy the art.  and thats a very real possibility with a lot of art supplies

another thing to consider is getting artwork scanned and printed onto waterslide decal paper.   this works very well - but aint as fun as painting on a guitar body