Refinishing Pedals?

[phil_104]

I had an idea, and I don't know if it is stupid or a good idea yet.

I am in the process of getting my pedal collection ready to put a board together, where they will be installed there for good. As stated in previous threads, I have a lot of EH pedals, including 4 different nano pedals. Now the thing I noticed the other day, as all of you know, is that they look very alike in a dark situation. Sure they have a decal on them at the front that says what they are, and that is a different color. My concern is that they would somewhat look the same under stage lights.

Now here is my idea : What if I was to refinish these pedals in very visibly different colors, and knobs, with my own custom decals on them, and special writing. Not only would it look boutique, but it would be functional in the sense that they would be really, really easy to differentiate in any condition.

The nano boxes are raw-ish metal, rough enough for paint to stick that is for sure. The decals would probably be real easy to take off before painting. All I would need is some nice spray colors, and some clear coat.

So what do you guys think : is this a good idea, or am I an idiot?

 

[millsart]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

I've resprayed a few of my pedals and always thought it was cool to do and fun. Easy to, few bucks for spraypaint, a sheet of waterslide paper for your printer and a couple of bucks for the knobs you want.

I like making each pedal a different color. Makes things easier to see on stage and then its just fun to come up with a unique name for it and pick some different knobs

Take a $60 nano big muff, paint it all red, put some white knobs on it and spray on a white star stencil and suddenly its a $500 ultra limited one of a kind most amazing sounding fuzz ever.

People on gear boards will probably be discussing what that really awesome sounding red fuzz pedal was, who makes it ? where can they get one ? lol

 

[phil_104]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

I've resprayed a few of my pedals and always thought it was cool to do and fun. Easy to, few bucks for spraypaint, a sheet of waterslide paper for your printer and a couple of bucks for the knobs you want.

I like making each pedal a different color. Makes things easier to see on stage and then its just fun to come up with a unique name for it and pick some different knobs

Take a $60 nano big muff, paint it all red, put some white knobs on it and spray on a white star stencil and suddenly its a $500 ultra limited one of a kind most amazing sounding fuzz ever.

People on gear boards will probably be discussing what that really awesome sounding red fuzz pedal was, who makes it ? where can they get one ? lol

Lol, you nailed the vision I had of what can be done with this concept. I was just going to say, I could see my big muff in red with a black lightning bolt and white outline on it.

I think I might go for it. Could be fun, and actually really usefull.

 

[scottish]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

its easy to do. id go for it. take the decals off and give it the once over with some steel wool. then hit it with a primer and then the color. I dont think you need to worry about clear coats on pedals. Just buy spray cans of color that are designed for outdoor things....ie they are durable.

 

[millsart]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

its easy to do. id go for it. take the decals off and give it the once over with some steel wool. then hit it with a primer and then the color. I dont think you need to worry about clear coats on pedals. Just buy spray cans of color that are designed for outdoor things....ie they are durable.

The spray enamles in cans are excellent these days and can give very professional looking results.

If you do some decals though a few coats of clear coat over the top to "bury" the decals is a step you'd definatly want to take

Sometimes just using a Sharpie for some handwritten names can look sort of cool as well, still can be a good idea to clear coat those

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

Do em up in Day-Glo colors

 

[phil_104]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

its easy to do. id go for it. take the decals off and give it the once over with some steel wool. then hit it with a primer and then the color. I dont think you need to worry about clear coats on pedals. Just buy spray cans of color that are designed for outdoor things....ie they are durable.

Alright, I'll go with high gloss outdoor paint. Thanks for the tip. I assume primer should also be outdoors white metal primer.

As for removing the decals, do you have any advice as to what would give the best results?

 

[phil_104]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

The spray enamles in cans are excellent these days and can give very professional looking results.

If you do some decals though a few coats of clear coat over the top to "bury" the decals is a step you'd definatly want to take

Sometimes just using a Sharpie for some handwritten names can look sort of cool as well, still can be a good idea to clear coat those

Not a bad idea. I guess I will have to plan out the materials when I get there. I'll probably end up bringing this thread back to life when I have everything set up, which should be when the weather gets a little warmer for some good outdoor spraying.

Do em up in Day-Glo colors

Dude, you know my phaser HAS to be neon colors!

 

[J Moose]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

I've used paint pens to good effect on wahs & other boxes... they come in different colors.

 

[glassman]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

Just an idea here...

have you looked at the plastic laminates at art supply stores? They come in a ton of colors and can be formed into a shape with a little heat. This would allow you to recover your pedals without destroying the original finish below. Kinda like a drink koozie...only for pedals. The EH stuff is mostly flat surfaces so that would greatly simplify things.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

I like the laminate idea, but I really think I want to give these pedals a permanent look. Kinda make them my own, plus I like the idea of painting and going in that process.

My main concern now is : How do I get the decals off without killing the metal? I'm sure many of you have seen the finish on EHX nano pedals, so opinions would be appreciated.

 

[millsart]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

just primer over the decals, they are really thin on the nano line, in fact I think its more like a screen print

I've painted over them and the surface comes out smooth as glass when your done

 

[phil_104]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

just primer over the decals, they are really thin on the nano line, in fact I think its more like a screen print

I've painted over them and the surface comes out smooth as glass when your done

Thanks for the info dude.

 

[Karmadog777]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

paint them all black and just put a large white A ,B, C ect on them
you WILL be THE man.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Refinishing Pedals?

paint them all black and just put a large white A ,B, C ect on them
you WILL be THE man.

But why do that when I can paint a bunch of wicked patterns and designs on em!