I have a late 90's or early 00's Parker Nitelfy, and I would like to have the top hand completely painted (including the pickgaurd). Is this going to dramatically affect the sound? I spoke to the local guitar guru, and he told me that if it was an older guitar with a specific type of lacquer finish (I think it was some type of polyester coating, but I could be wrong), it would noticeably affect the sound. However, since most newer guitars do not use this type of clearcoat finish, I was told that hand painting would minimally affect the overall tone of the guitar as long as I clearcoated the finish when it completely dried out. What do you guys think?
Hand painting my guitar
- Thread starter alnikman
- Start date
SabbathFan0220
New member
Re: Hand painting my guitar
This thread may turn into the whole "poly vs. nitro" thing again, but IMO, you're not going to be able to hear the difference. I know I wouldn't be able to. Are you going to have the old finish stripped off first?
This thread may turn into the whole "poly vs. nitro" thing again, but IMO, you're not going to be able to hear the difference. I know I wouldn't be able to. Are you going to have the old finish stripped off first?
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: Hand painting my guitar
a) do NOT take shortcuts with refinishing your guitar. it will cause more headaches that it's worth in the long run.
b) hand painting is generally not a great idea, even if you're using a foam brush, because it's still streaky, and that will show up whether you want it to or not, despite how careful you are.
c) What you SHOULD do is:
- take off all the hardware.
- strip or sand the old finish right off, until you have just smooth, clean wood.
- apply new finish, whatever one you want, the correct way, spray if you're doing lacquer or poly, or rub it on if you're doing a dye or an oil based finish like Tung oil.
the results will be better if you take some time and put some effort into it.
also, painting a new finish on top of an old one is going to impact your tone if not the finish itself. First of all, you're just adding more crap on top of your guitar which won't help it to resonate well. Secondly, if the finish you're applying isn't 100% compatible with whatever finish came stock on your Nitefly, then it's going to peel off or crack and generally cause you lots of grief and it will be a waste of time.
If you're gonna do it at all, do it properly, and you'll be more than pleased with the results.
a) do NOT take shortcuts with refinishing your guitar. it will cause more headaches that it's worth in the long run.
b) hand painting is generally not a great idea, even if you're using a foam brush, because it's still streaky, and that will show up whether you want it to or not, despite how careful you are.
c) What you SHOULD do is:
- take off all the hardware.
- strip or sand the old finish right off, until you have just smooth, clean wood.
- apply new finish, whatever one you want, the correct way, spray if you're doing lacquer or poly, or rub it on if you're doing a dye or an oil based finish like Tung oil.
the results will be better if you take some time and put some effort into it.
also, painting a new finish on top of an old one is going to impact your tone if not the finish itself. First of all, you're just adding more crap on top of your guitar which won't help it to resonate well. Secondly, if the finish you're applying isn't 100% compatible with whatever finish came stock on your Nitefly, then it's going to peel off or crack and generally cause you lots of grief and it will be a waste of time.
If you're gonna do it at all, do it properly, and you'll be more than pleased with the results.
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: Hand painting my guitar
ye you should listen to this guy. stripping a finish with a heat gun is really easy and quick, sanding takes forever! you can buy nitro or poly in an aerosol can. i really wouldn't hand paint a guitar!
ye you should listen to this guy. stripping a finish with a heat gun is really easy and quick, sanding takes forever! you can buy nitro or poly in an aerosol can. i really wouldn't hand paint a guitar!
80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Re: Hand painting my guitar
you will never be able to tell the difference in sound. . . hogwash ha ha ha
Paint her up bro and post us some pictures!
you will never be able to tell the difference in sound. . . hogwash ha ha ha
Paint her up bro and post us some pictures!
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: Hand painting my guitar
it's true, sanding does take forever. it's a lot easier with a power sander, but you still gotta be super careful, also a power sander is hard to get into curves and what not.
I've used rub on poly before as well, it's pretty easy to work with but inevitably, you get runs happening and it's a pain in the ass to get rid of.
using a spray can is much easier and you can get much more control as well. Just make sure to do it in a well ventilated area, or use a mask, both is ideal.
it's true, sanding does take forever. it's a lot easier with a power sander, but you still gotta be super careful, also a power sander is hard to get into curves and what not.
I've used rub on poly before as well, it's pretty easy to work with but inevitably, you get runs happening and it's a pain in the ass to get rid of.
using a spray can is much easier and you can get much more control as well. Just make sure to do it in a well ventilated area, or use a mask, both is ideal.
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