diy guitar paint job...

W

wfswfs

New member
Hi all...
as above.

Im intending to give my diy tele a new color.
just a simple color of flat black

How should i go about it.

My idea is.

Sand surface till equal
spray flat black
wetsand with 400grit (cant seem to get 3000grit at my area.)

Thats all.

What are your views.
I know putting the can in warm water to warm it up to get more even spreads.

And also wetsand with warmwater + soap in circular to prevent any clogging of dirt n to minimize scratches.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

Are you going to put a matte clear coat on? I dont think it will last long with just the paint.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

kramersteen said:
Are you going to put a matte clear coat on? I dont think it will last long with just the paint.
Click to expand...

Heys...
i guess ill go without the matte clear....
how will it differ?

Im intending to wetsand it till there isnt any harsh visible scratch. And letting my playing get it semi gloss on those areas that normally will be handling with.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

I would certainly not do it that way. But it's not my guitar, so do it however you want...there is no right or wrong way to do it. Only a particular way of doing it to get a particular result.

You say you want..."just a simple color of flat black". Be warned that solid black (even flat) is one of the most difficult colors to have end up looking really nice.

If the result you want is to have it look like crap and have lots of scratch marks in the finish, and wear through the finish to the wood really fast, then how you plan to do it is the perfect way. If you want the results to be more durable and last a longer time then you should consider a top clear cote. And if you want to have an even, smooth, flat finish with no deep sanding scratches in it you also aught to consider a finer grit sandpaper (minimum 800-1000).

But congrats on your desire to do your own work. It can be very satisfying and rewarding. But it will also lead to more modding and even building your own in the future.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

If you can find even 1000-1500 grit sandpaper, that'll help a lot in the final sanding. 400 is still too course for final sanding. Go to an auto parts store. They have all sorts of grades of sandpaper all the way up to 2000.

When I painted my SG Jr, I used automotive acrylic lacquer in a spray can. It was sanded between coats up to 600 grit and then final coat was sanded up to 1500 grit. My goal was a Gibson-like Faded finish and I believe I got it. The wood grain was not filled but I did use sanding sealer on it and sanded that to 400 grit just to knock off any of the grain that raised. Take your time and be patient with it.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

wfswfs said:
My idea is.

Sand surface till equal
spray flat black
wetsand with 400grit (cant seem to get 3000grit at my area.)
Click to expand...

Spray with what?
I would advise against spray paint.
I agree with the others, multiple layers of clear coats with wet sanding between each coat goes a long way in looks and up-keep over time.
You can order sand paper off the internet, as well as pizza, and Russian brides.
I have had good luck with even 600-grit on matte paint jobs, but those were "junker-guitars" so I didn't care that much about the finish.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

Alright...
took my guitar apart...

Spray the first coat of paint with the spray paint i got...
dried up fast enough.
Into a matte finish. Seems good.

Trying to matte my pickguard too.. but 320 just still see too much scratches.

Ebayed 400 and 2000grit.
will see what can i do.

And previously my guitar had a relic wear on the body which i took it all the way to the wood...

Shall keep that part for the guitar.
Will try to get pictures up...
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

Can't wait to see pictures. Where the hell do you live where you can only get 400 grit?

Matte your pickguard? Painting plastic and wood is a different world my friend. Your better off buying one. And 'dried up fast enough' ... just because it isn't sticky to the touch doesn't necessarily mean its dried.

Sounds like your a classic 'jumping the gunn-er'. Personally, I would have done a whole lot more than 1 forum post worth of research, did a test on a scrap piece of wood, and perhaps brought in someone I knew who knew what they were doing (somewhat) to help with the process.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

Kamanda~SD said:
Can't wait to see pictures. Where the hell do you live where you can only get 400 grit?

Matte your pickguard? Painting plastic and wood is a different world my friend. Your better off buying one. And 'dried up fast enough' ... just because it isn't sticky to the touch doesn't necessarily mean its dried.

Sounds like your a classic 'jumping the gunn-er'. Personally, I would have done a whole lot more than 1 forum post worth of research, did a test on a scrap piece of wood, and perhaps brought in someone I knew who knew what they were doing (somewhat) to help with the process.
Click to expand...

Nah...
i stay in Singapore.
not everyone does diy n hardware shop dont bring the 2000-3000 stuff....

I just tried spraying 1 layer and just let it rest as im heading t work. Will do the spraying tomorrow and see how it goes...

It a crappy job as i ill say its the first diy and its a squier tele. Loved the sound but after nearly 4years of dings and dangs. Decide to give the "gloss" look a matte finish as ive also like a matte finish on a guitar.

Not expecting a good or professional finish... :/
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

wfswfs said:
Trying to matte my pickguard too.. but 320 just still see too much scratches.

Ebayed 400 and 2000grit.
will see what can i do.
Click to expand...

No, No, No!

Don't even try to go from 400 to 2000. 2000 will NOT remove the scratches that the 400 leaves behind. You have to take it in steps, getting progressively finer...eg: 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000.
 
diy guitar paint job...

GuitarDoc said:
No, No, No!

Don't even try to go from 400 to 2000. 2000 will NOT remove the scratches that the 400 leaves behind. You have to take it in steps, getting progressively finer...eg: 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000.
Click to expand...

This.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

Pylox isn't usually used for serious work, normally for graffiti by vandals. I don't know...I doubt your guitar will yield good result.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

Not everyone wants a pro paint job, a lot of times people just want a different color/look for their guitar. Maybe the OP just wants a change. If that's case what he's doing should be fine, imo. But if he's trying to get a really nice looking finish than yeah, probably not gonna turn out that way.
 
Re: diy guitar paint job...

spray paint wrinkles and "fish-eyes" like crazy. If a simple color change is needed, Minwax has EXPRESS COLOR, its bolder and darker than their normal stains and doesn't have the drawbacks of spray paint. If you don't want to see any wood grain through the stain just add more coats. I tried Indigo, that stuff is hella dark.
 
diy guitar paint job...

Spray paint "orange peels" only if the surface it is being applied to is not prepped correctly or the surface has a chemically incompatible finish on it already. In either case, proper preparation of the surface is key. Then it has to be applied correctly.

I've used acrylic lacquer (auto paint) from a spray can with good results. Enamel can work too, though not ideal. Again, it's all in preparation and application.
 
Last edited:
Re: diy guitar paint job...

there are still dings and dangs... but yeap... didnt matter much to me... now ill wait for my usage to let the wear and tear come
 
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