Any tips on doing a Repsray? Les Paul Junior.

Frazer Stockton

Frazer Stockton

New member
Hi all, it's been a while since I posted. Nice new look to the forum!

I have a 2009 Gibson Les Paul Junior in the most, brightest, of bright white. It's brighter than the sun.

I'm looking to go from this to the TV Yellow, 60s look.

Something like this:

http://cdn1.gbase.com/usercontent/gear/1636152/p1_usqhtiwn1_so.jpg

or

http://www.pinrepair.com/vgi/gibson/57_lptv-jr2_1.jpg

At current, I don't have a glossy finish, it's literally a thin thin coating of white paint. You can see the wood grain through it. I'm sure anyone that's held an entry level Gibson knows what I'm on about.

I don't think I would need to sand it down? I'm kinda hoping you can just buy paint and spray over? It would be cool to put that glossy finish on too, however I think that may be pretty difficult to get it all even and would require some expertise.

Now I know many purists will strongly advise to keep it stock and Gibson standard, and the guitar will instantly depreciate in monetary value. However I have no intention of selling this little gem.

If anybody knows how to do a respray and can instruct a novice I'd be seriously grateful for any pointers. What brand of paint to buy, will I need any specific equipment?

Kind regards

Frazer
 
Re: Any tips on doing a Repsray? Les Paul Junior.

Stripper will make quick and easy work of getting the white off. One hour tops, including cleaning the guitar with a solvent and sanding to remove the stripper residue once the finish is gone. Then you need to fill the wood, seal it with clear (optional), spray on the yellow, and then spray on the clear. You will need to sand in between layers – wet sand, to be precise. You are looking at over a month's worth of work if you allow healthy dry times between sealer, color, and clear. Then you should let the guitar dry for several weeks in a warm and dry location with plenty of airflow. If it's your first time, I'd plan on having your guitar out of commission for three months, to be liberal.

ReRanch has all the specialized stuff you need, and your hardware store has the rest (such as sandpaper, sanding blocks, stripper, solvents, etc.).

To be completely honest, I would attempt this on a bolt-neck guitar your first time around. But you will probably do fine even if you go right for it on your guitar.

Also, keep in mind that professional refinishing is not horribly expensive, and there are several places out there that "do it right" these days.

The best online forum for getting help on finishing guitars is the ReRanch forum.

Good luck.
 
Re: Any tips on doing a Repsray? Les Paul Junior.

Thank you for the advice!

Luckily, time is not an issue, I think it would be a great project to work on.

I'm assuming the sand paper will have to be very fine, however sanding in between layers? Is that not somewhat counter productive? I'll see if I can find some books or guides.

Thanks,

Frazer
 
Re: Any tips on doing a Repsray? Les Paul Junior.

ReRanch.com has guides and info too ;)

I will be the guy who reminds you that the guitar will yellow by itself if you leave it in the sun and / or smoke near it often.

:smokin:
 
Re: Any tips on doing a Repsray? Les Paul Junior.

I wouldn't strip off the white. Sand it smooth with a 320 wet/dry first to get a little "tooth". Then spray on this:

http://reranchstore.stores.yahoo.net/tvyellow.html

Sanding between coats (with 600-1000 grit) is essential even though it may seem counterproductive as far as paint build-up is concerned. But you need to keep a very smooth finish, especially if you are going to use a full gloss top coat. You'll need several (thin) coats of the TV Yellow. If you try to get perfect coverage of the white base in one coat, you'll get runs and streaks which will make three times the work to try to correct.

When you've got good solid even yellow all over after final sanding, you're ready for the gloss clear coat:

http://reranchstore.stores.yahoo.net/nitclearcoat.html

Then sanding and polishing after that to get the most glossy finish.
 
Re: Any tips on doing a Repsray? Les Paul Junior.

If the existing finish looks nice I'd leave it alone. I doubt you can do as good a job with spray cans and you'll devalue the guitar.

Have you ever rubbed out a finish? Once the paint dries and cures you have to sand it smooth again and then polish the heck out of it to bring back the gloss.

I wouldn't try this on a professional instrument without prior experience and prior success.
 
Re: Any tips on doing a Repsray? Les Paul Junior.

Empty Pockets said:
ReRanch.com has guides and info too ;)

I will be the guy who reminds you that the guitar will yellow by itself if you leave it in the sun and / or smoke near it often.

:smokin:
Click to expand...


Haha, I've never seen a guitar yellow from years of smoking, I think my lungs would give out first! It's a shame they banned smoking in bars over here, that would certainly speed up the process.

I have a really old yamaha I used to practice rewiring with. I'll maybe test my skills there first. I think if it's done carefully, it should turn out okay. I'm keen on doing this little project. Thanks for all the links/tips!

Frazer
 
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