how do you paint a guitar

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Jul 12, 2005 | 12:43 AM

I6power

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From: the beaches of florida

how do you paint a guitar

I have an old Ibanez that I dont care for and never play but at the same time I can't part with it. I'm gonna make it sound better but for now I want to paint it. I have access to a lot of painting tools but I'm not sure what kind of paint to use and how to go about doing it. Sad that I can't paint it, I worked for a sign shop for almost 2yrs and painted cars for a good while after that.

Jul 12, 2005 | 12:53 AM

Ford51

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From: Garland Tx

Well since guitars are stained, your most likely gunna end up changing the sound with the paint. I dont want to say much more cause I've never done it so I'll leave it up to a professional.

Jul 12, 2005 | 01:00 AM

I6power

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From: the beaches of florida

I hope not. I dont think it will though my friend had his Fender painted, poorly painted, and it still sounds the same. I'm talking about electric guitars. Did it mess up the sound on an acoustic or electric? Either way i have a Fender that I always play with and that Ibanes is collecting dust.

Jul 12, 2005 | 01:17 AM

Howdy

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From: Oregon

Electric? I'd imagine having a colored opaque laquer mixed up would work well. Probably same for acoustic, except use clear, (I'd probably use real shellac flakes for acoustic, but they are hard to find and probably not that necessary). If you're used to doing cars and oil base on signs, it shouldn't be much of a problem for you. Just thin it a little more than you're used to and hand rub between coats. The coloring used can be a deep bodied dye. If you haven't done laquer before, it can be a real treat. I enjoy it. There's nothing like 6 - 10 coats of hand rubbed laquer..

Edit: Acoustic guitars sound can change when they are refinished. The wood guitars improve with age and the finish has a lot to do with it. If you have an old, high dollar, guitar I probably wouldn't refinish if the sound was good.

Last edited by Howdy; Jul 12, 2005 at 01:34 AM.

Jul 12, 2005 | 05:25 PM

FLgargoyle

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From: Travelers Rest SC

Electric guitars can be painted with just about anything, but some paints may 'lift' the existing finish. If it has a bolt-on neck, take everything apart and just paint the body. Professionally finished guitars are stained or painted, then built up with several layers of clear lacquer, which is then sanded and buffed to remove spraying imperfections. They look like crap when they first come out of the spray booth! On a fully acoustic guitar, you should (carefully) remove the old finish, then lightly apply musical instrument varnish. I don't really recommend refinishing an acoustic, tho'.

Jul 12, 2005 | 07:30 PM

TigerDan

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From: The hills of No. Calif.

There are some water-based finishes on the market these days that are supposed to be the hot ticket. Personally, I've never used anything but Nitrocellulose lacquer. I only work with acoustic guitars, just not into electrics.
Here's a link to one of the water-based finishes. They ain't cheap, though. Snoop around the site a little while you're there, lots of good stuff:

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdpro...r+based+Finish

Also, check this out:

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/FinishOverview.htm

Anyone who wants to work on their own guitars should check out this site as well:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/pagelist.html

And this one:

http://www.stewmac.com/

-TigerDan-Ford guy and semi-professional Luthier