Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

[ex-250]

Yes the concept is slightly juvenile, kids drawing on their Squier Strat pickguards and such, but this guard was sitting in my drawer and I had idle hands.

My question is this- will the sharpie easily rub off with playing? If so, is there some sort of fixative spray or clear coat or something I can put on it? I don't want to do all this damn work just for it to smear everywhere and look like ****e.



Here is the progress so far. I'm slightly held up because I can't decide what size knobs to use (metal barrel vs. plastic Strat), which will have an effect on the art around it. Anyhow I'm pretty pleased with how its turning out.

*edit- Finished.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Friction, natural skin oils and some popular domestic cleansing products will all contribute to the gradual fading and obliteration of the "permanent" ink.

It is not unheard of for autographed pickguards to be varnished so as to preserve the squiggle and, hence, any imagined monetary enhancement that it endows. The trick is to choose a clear coat that will stay clear and not eat into the pickguard material.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Maybe get a big-ass sheet of laminating paper?

IDK,but it looks pretty cool so far,hate to see all that go to waste...

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Clear Lexan and draw on back?

+1
For spray
Hair spray?

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Yeah,mebbe a Clear one & some longer screws...

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

I would think you could clear coat over it. The only two cautions would be: 1) test on a scrap piece (or even the back of that pick guard) to make sure the clear doesn't have a negative reaction with the marker. 2) don't flex the pick guard and crack the clear coat.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

You may be able to get away with using DIY Window Decal media like for an inkjet printer. However, an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet might be a touch too small.

Best bet is to get some small cans of various clearcoating products (Testors spray, Krylon KrystalKlear, etc) and experiment on the underside of the guard.

You may also be able to etch the design into the guard once you're done, mask off the rest, and hit it with paint.

 

[guitarSQUIRELL]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

What about using a spray can of automotive clear coat that you can get at any auto parts house? That may work better IMO.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Maybe a light window tint
Some shades may make that interesting

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Wow, that looks really good, very impressive work!

 

[ex-250]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Did a bit more this morning. So far the man in the moon is my favorite part, he looks so pissed at Cthulhu's appendages. That pesky Cthulhu, no sense of personal space.

Still not sure what I'm going to do after its done. This was pretty spontaneous so I don't know how to test reactivity with the guard and the marker. I have no idea where this particular guard is from, came on a guitar I bought used and I know its aftermarket.

I might just leave it and let the wear happen. As long as it doesn't smear, I think I might be alright with wear. I dunno. I think I'd just rather have that happen than mess it all up with some attempt to coat it.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Looks great!

You're better off trying to protect it if you can. Sharpie can wear off surfaces surprisingly fast.

I suggest looking at clear decal type vinyl. Thin, transparent and flexible.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

i think itll smear man. scribble a little on the back and see if the clear coat reacts to that. if it looks good after a day or a few days, shoot the whole top

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

WOW!!! When you said juvenille, I had visions of really bad drawings like on skatepunk type guitars, or otherwise. Very impressed with your drawing tho!! you could probably put clear contact paper over it ..

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

LINK 1


LINK 2

 

[AlexR]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

It depends on the solvent. Whiteboard marker is such that it can be rubbed off. Use a permanent marker instead and you're SOL with getting it off.

I think if the solvent is meths or acetone type then some form of lacquer would work well over the top. Like any other spray job a test run is essential.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Sharpies'll def smudge & smear.

I use them on a coupla LH Maple necks for top markers & have to re-touch them on occasion.
In the "line of fire",so to speak(lots of constant contact) the pic would be toast within minutes,probably.

Just sayin',that's a lot of cool work to piss away like that...

 

[Artie]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

Nice work. Can't wait to see this finished and installed.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

The man in the moon is awesome!

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Sharpie on pickguard question (because I'm an angsty 13 year old)

I would use another thin, clear strat guard on top of it. It's more than likely any spray that would protect it would also eat into the guard material or discolor over time.