Refinishing a Guitar

W

waylay00

New member
I have an Ibanez RG2550, but I would really like to see it in a color of my choice.

However, I do not know where to go or what to do in order to have this done. Some have told me to take it to a body shop. Would this be ideal?

Do you think that it would also be possible for a bodyshop to paint the headstock with a matching color without damaging the neck? I'm afraid that they could seriously do some damage to my guitar.

Also, what about having the guitar stripped from its original paint? Who should I have do this? I want this to be done professionally, not by myself, as I can not afford to potentially damage anything.

And as far as telling the body shop what to do, are there any special instructions I need to give them?
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

If you want it professionally done, the first question I have for you is.....how much $$ are you willing to spend?

Some of us can either give you pointers to do it yourself, or point you at the right professional to do it for you. It all comes down to $$.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

If you like your guiatr, do not take it to a body shop....let a pro do it....give Rs or someone like that a call....automobile paint is designed to be impervious to all things.....including tone:laugh2:
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

waylay00 said:
I have an Ibanez RG2550, but I would really like to see it in a color of my choice.

However, I do not know where to go or what to do in order to have this done. Some have told me to take it to a body shop. Would this be ideal?

Do you think that it would also be possible for a bodyshop to paint the headstock with a matching color without damaging the neck? I'm afraid that they could seriously do some damage to my guitar.

Also, what about having the guitar stripped from its original paint? Who should I have do this? I want this to be done professionally, not by myself, as I can not afford to potentially damage anything.

And as far as telling the body shop what to do, are there any special instructions I need to give them?
Click to expand...
I Imagine most body shops ( Unless you know someone who works there?) couldn't be bothered painting a guitar.More so,Doing the prep work on it. If you brought them a guitar already prepped. Maybe they would spray it for you. You say you want a pro job. Your best bet would be to google guitar painters. Roxy is one. Be prepaired to spend $200+.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

waylay00 said:
So would taking it to a local cycle shop be a bad idea? Like this - http://ospaint.com/index.asp?mode1=Home

Who is "R"?
Click to expand...
:laugh2: :laugh2: Actually,This is how I learned to paint guitars. I was maybe a year or two older then you. My buddy worked for a Harley Custom shop. I took my 1st Parts-O-caster to them to see if they would paint it for me? (Big Scary look'in dudes:smokin: ) They said NO!! But we'll show ya how to do it.They handed me some sand paper and said... Start sanding Kid.:bowdown:
BTW, When I was done...It was totally tricked out. Diamond Black Nitro with blue Pearl in the clear coat.:D
 
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Re: Refinishing a Guitar

waylay00 said:
Oh, that's cool. So what all does one have to do for prep work?
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Sanding, Lots O' Sanding. In most case's it's not necessary to remove the finish. There is a good chance that guitar is made from Basswood. If so? the factory finish acts some what as a protective shell. ( Basswood is very light and soft) It dings easy.:blackeye: You can sand the factory finish smooth with a sanding block. Check out www.reranch.com read the finishing 101.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

Yes, it is basswood. So you're sayin that if it is basswood, I don't need to strip the paint?
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

waylay00 said:
Yes, it is basswood. So you're sayin that if it is basswood, I don't need to strip the paint?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't in most case's. The factory finish is tougher/harder than most other after market paints. Just sand it to a Matte like finish,Touch up any dings or dents. Then prime it.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

waylay00 said:
Wouldn't that extra layer of paint affect tone considerably though?
Click to expand...
:laugh2: That's a very debatable subject. I doubt you will hear a difference.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

The factory finish is so thick on those guitars that a good re-finish will actually come out thinner in aggregate than the original without going down to bare wood.

Choice of finish and the thickness of it will not be a factor in the sound of a guitar like yours. Most guitar builders are using automotive finishes these days on their electrics as well as their acoustics, myself included.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

So I should just sand the factory finish down to where it is matte black, and then it will ready for a new coat?
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

waylay00 said:
So I should just sand the factory finish down to where it is matte black, and then it will ready for a new coat?
Click to expand...
Yes, Use 220 grit with a sanding block. Anything flat will work. The SD PuP plastic boxes work good. Don't go to far. You just want to take the gloss off the guitar. I like to use a primer B4 I apply my color. B.I.N.S. made by Zinsler is available at home depot. It works good as a base for what ever color you choose. The Most Important tip I can give you when painting a guitar is...
DON'T BE IN A HURRY! Take your time enjoy it.:)
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

I would recommend you find someone to do the new finish first and ask them if you can offset the cost by doing some of the prep work. They will need to determine what the existing finish is for compatibility reasons and having it all sanded already might make that more difficult. You can't just shoot anything over anything.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

By the way, it's worth noting that by the time you pay for the paint job and ship the guitar twice, you could probably just buy another one that is already the color you want.
 
Re: Refinishing a Guitar

That's exactly what I inteded to do, but unfortunately, Ibanez's colors and finishes suck for the most part this year and last year.
 
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