Spray paint guitar finishing

[JollyRoger523]

Reference my First Build

The headstock has been painted (need to get some pics up). I've ran into a problem finishing the finish on the headstock. I used hardware store spray paint cans. I did some research on the net, and while It seems they are not ideal for a guitar they are definitely usable (plus we all know of someone who has refinished a Dean or two with them).


First I primed it with Rustoleum gray auto primer. I let that dry for several days, then gave it a quick sanding. Next I sprayed Rustoleum black. I let that that dry for several more days, and scuff sanded it. Next I sprayed Minwax poly over it. This stuff:

OK so far so good (so what). Let it dry for about a week, it was hard enough where my fingernail wouldn't dent it. I start to wet sand out the orange peel and here is where the trouble begins. Before the orange peel is out the poly finish starts to peel off. There were several small places where it just started peeling up with the 600g sandpaper (almost like how you can peel rubber glue right off of paper). At this point I'm thinking "OK the finish wasn't thick enough". So I sand down and start again. This time I put a lot more layers of poly on. Let it harden and start to wet sand the orange peel. Same deal.

Before I started on the actual guitar, I did a test piece on a scrap of wood to make sure everything was compatible. It went together fine and the finish seemed hard enough for guitar use. BUT I left it at that and didn't sand out the orange peel and buff it. Let that be a lesson to me and anyone else: If you are not sure of a finish then finish a test piece ALL THE WAY!

So now I get to sand it down and start over again with a different plan. I might try a different poly over the Rustoleum (I already got the primer on the guitar body, but no paint yet). I found a 2 part poly finish in a spray can that I'll probably try. It mixes the catalyst inside the can. It's called Spraymax:

I'm hoping this will work. The reason I didn't go with Reranch or other paint choices was because I couldn't find an "Olive Drab" color available. I also don't have any spray equipment for the pro stuff.


Questions, comments, insults? I'm open to ideas.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

Spray stuff hardens from the outside in. While the outside will dry quickly, the inside is then trapped under a layer of film, which further reduces air getting to those layers to aid in the drying. Rattlecans take months to properly cure. Sucks, too, cuz I bought that Ebay book a few years ago and had the same problems. Still got a Vantage Flying V out in the shed I need to finish (or scrape and redo). It's been out there about 4 years or more. Should be dry by now :lol:


However, the biggest issue with spray stuff has always been the clearcoat, that's why everyone recommends pro-level stuff that you have to add the catalyst to (which aids in drying from the inside out). If they're putting that in the cans these days, it might be time to re-investigate.

 

[dominus]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

Don't use the Rustoleum auto primer. That's the problem I ran into. Use the Painter's Touch one. Also, since that was new wood, you probably needed to seal it. Zinsser's BIN first, then primer, then paint, then clearcoat.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

I ordered a can of the SprayMax. It is basically a can inside of a can that keeps the catalyst seperated until it is activated. Once activated the catalyst mixes in and you have approx. 24 hours to use it before it hardens in the can. I found it online for $17 something a can (of course they gouge you on shipping). I'll post the results after I try it.

 

[appar111]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

Spray stuff hardens from the outside in. While the outside will dry quickly, the inside is then trapped under a layer of film, which further reduces air getting to those layers to aid in the drying. Rattlecans take months to properly cure. Sucks, too, cuz I bought that Ebay book a few years ago and had the same problems. Still got a Vantage Flying V out in the shed I need to finish (or scrape and redo). It's been out there about 4 years or more. Should be dry by now :lol:


However, the biggest issue with spray stuff has always been the clearcoat, that's why everyone recommends pro-level stuff that you have to add the catalyst to (which aids in drying from the inside out). If they're putting that in the cans these days, it might be time to re-investigate.

Depends on what kind of rattlecan paint you use--- nitro, acrylic lacquer, acrylic enamel, polyurethane, etc. I've had good luck with Rustoleum acrylic lacquer, Minwax gloss nitro, Duplicolor acrylic lacquer, Rustoleum Painter's Touch (although it takes a couple days longer to cure), Valspar enamel paint (in thin coats, following the instructions for recoat on the can).

 

[appar111]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

Don't use the Rustoleum auto primer. That's the problem I ran into. Use the Painter's Touch one. Also, since that was new wood, you probably needed to seal it. Zinsser's BIN first, then primer, then paint, then clearcoat.

Deft sanding sealer also works really well as a sealer for the wood, and gets a nice even surface for primer to go onto.

I've used the Rustoleum Auto Primer, but it only does well with their metallic finishes (copper, silver, bronze, etc.) It doesn't seem to play as nice with stuff outside of the Rustoleum metallics line (i.e. with Duplicolor products).

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

Still got a Vantage Flying V out in the shed I need to finish (or scrape and redo). It's been out there about 4 years or more. Should be dry by now :lol:

The "best" guitar player when I was in high school played a blue Vantage Flying V. At least until he broke off the headstock. He replaced it with a Kramer Pacer Barretta. That guitar cost $1300.

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

OK .. update time.

I've finally re-done the headstock. I sanded it all down and repainted it using Duplicolor acrylic lacquer. I clear coated it with Spraymax 2K. This worked out great. It hardens up to a nice durable finish and polishes to a nice shine. I'll post some pics in the build thread once I get around to it.

IF you are going to paint your own guitar (not nitro) then I definitely recommend this stuff!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Spray paint guitar finishing

I used minwax sanding sealer, BIN white shellac primer, ohio valley dakota red nitro, and deft clear nitro. I'm still applying the clearcoat but so far so good. I got a run on the side today tho so I'm gonna let it dry for a day or two and then do a lil spot repair. This is time consuming stuff.