To paint or not to paint?

[v8stang289]

I have a Warmoth Explorer that I put together ~20 years ago.
Mahogany body, pearl white pick guard, chrome hardware.
The body has no finish on it. I couldn't commit to a color at the time, and decided to just put it together as is and roll on.
I'm now thinking of painting it Scarlett Fever Pearl. I think it'll look good and be a little different from most of what I see.
What do you guys think? Paint it, leave it alone, something else?

 

[GuitarStv]

I'd definately fnish it in some way. Tru oil/danish oil is pretty simple, paint can be tricky but looks great if you can do it properly.

 

[Mincer]

I love that color. Are you planning on doing it yourself?

 

[blakejcan]

paint it. you can always take paint off later if you hate it.

 

[Securb]

I love the color and would consider a black pickguard to go with it.

 

[v8stang289]

I love that color. Are you planning on doing it yourself?

Yes I would be doing it myself as a base/clear urethane.

 

[Securb]

Yes I would be doing it

Are you going with a paint gun or a rattle can?

 

[v8stang289]

Are you going with a paint gun or a rattle can?

Paint gun. I have a good compressor/filter/drier setup and I've painted a few cars.

I'm about to paint my 66 Mustang that color, and was thinking that while I have everything setup I'd paint the guitar as well.

 

[Securb]

Matching muscle car, and muscle guitar, that is going to be freaking sweet. I would consider painting the headstock and adding a vintage Mustang or Ford logo to the guitar.

 

[Hsb]

I prefer natural colors, so my vote is leave it plain or that may look kinda cool w a quick scorch from a torch and some clear coat.

 

[alex1fly]

I think it looks awesome as is

 

[ICTGoober]

If you go with paint, be sure to do a deep clean on the wood as any of your body oils that penetrated with cause the finish to lift later. A simple wipe down with lacquer thinner, acetone, or mineral spirits is not enough. You could seal the wood with shellac, sand back and then spray your red.

 

[JOLLY]

I like it the way it is, but I think it would look good painted that color as well. I also agree with Securb on a black pickguard if you paint it that color.

 

[v8stang289]

Well, I think I'm going to paint it. There are a few dents and scratches that it has picked up over the years that I'll be able to fix as well.
I'll probably 3D print a small plate for the toggle too that'll better fit theme , or repair the holes and direct mount the switch (it used to have a blade switch, long ago for stupid reasons)
I also think I may do a block inlay at the 12th fret, and do the Mustang running horse logo on a black block to tie it in to the car as Securb suggested.

Black pickguard would look nice as well. I just need to verify with Warmoth that the "Nomad" pickguard is the same as the older one for their explorer. It does appear to be.

 

[Aceman]

Paint it. Make sure to coordinate the pick guard

While at it, move the toggle switch or line up the controls etc...

 

[v8stang289]

3D printed a truss rod cover for the guitar. Still have to do a bit of cleanup but I like how it turned out.
I decided to include the V8 emblem on it as well.

 

[PFDarkside]

Paint gun. I have a good compressor/filter/drier setup and I've painted a few cars.

I'm about to paint my 66 Mustang that color, and was thinking that while I have everything setup I'd paint the guitar as well.

Absolutely paint to match!

 

[Artie]

I was going to say leave it alone, until I saw your post #8. Definitely red to match the 'stang.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

Paint it! Paint it ! Paint it!

 

[v8stang289]

Well, things have been set in motion.

Stripped the guitar down tonight and started plugging the old switch holes and screw holes from previous configurations. Gonna 3d print some mask plugs for the bridge and tailpiece inserts so I don't have to pull those. Tomorrow I'll clean it good and possibly do some filler work and sanding. Next will be an epoxy primer to seal everything then I'll start finish work.



My wife also started work on the running horse inlay for the 12th fret.