Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

M

moth_baller

New member
I know this axe isn't worth much. First guitar for me that wasn't ultra cheap when I was about 16.

I definitely want to refinish it. I think a fabric top (and headstock) would be rad. Specifically I was wondering if anyone has used lace? I was thinking of getting a not too busy pattern of a very thin sheer type of fabric, laying that on first. and putting spiderweb/skull lace on top of that. Tried searching but all I'm getting is stuff on lace sensor pickups.
 

Attachments

  • 20170712_223535.jpg
    20170712_223535.jpg
    68.4 KB · Views: 0
  • 20170712_223552.jpg
    20170712_223552.jpg
    67.3 KB · Views: 0
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

Have you searched youtube for similar videos? I remember seeing a guy use fish net stockings from his neighbor's wife to use for a snakeskin graphic and it turned out pretty cool when he was done.
Youll probably need an air brush so you can adjust the air and spray pattern because its very easy to ruin intricate designs because of paint volume.

Whatever you decide, try to copy your idea on cardboard or another piece of wood or flat object. That will help you in many ways prior to spraying your body...

Is that the original finish, or did you already strip the finish and stain or clear it? Just wondering, cause it looks like it would be a good surface once you simply scruffed it down with a scotchbrite pad.

If you decide upon a fabric finish, I know there are youtube videos on that for sure.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

metalchurch79 said:
Have you searched youtube for similar videos? I remember seeing a guy use fish net stockings from his neighbor's wife to use for a snakeskin graphic and it turned out pretty cool when he was done.
Youll probably need an air brush so you can adjust the air and spray pattern because its very easy to ruin intricate designs because of paint volume.

Whatever you decide, try to copy your idea on cardboard or another piece of wood or flat object. That will help you in many ways prior to spraying your body...

Is that the original finish, or did you already strip the finish and stain or clear it? Just wondering, cause it looks like it would be a good surface once you simply scruffed it down with a scotchbrite pad.

If you decide upon a fabric finish, I know there are youtube videos on that for sure.
Click to expand...

If you are referring to using lace or netting as a mask then that's not what Im asking about. I'd want to use lace as the top or as an additional layer of fabric in the finish. would be two layers of fabric deep and clearing on top of that. Wouldn't be painting except for the clear coat.

Sort of mad that it seems my air brush didn't make it in my move. found the compressor and the cardboard box the air brush came in. But the brush itself is gone. 5 years of bassmaster mags and my Pam Anderson special Playboy made it though haha.

I haven't stripped the body yet. It's a natural matte satin finish from the factory. I had already thought about just scuffing it and using the existing finish for a base but there are quite a few dings in it. Not all the way down to the wood but they need to be filled and sanded. The finish is pretty thick already so I think adding on more layers (fabric and more clear) would get out of hand. It's actually a solid maple body.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

Yes, I got you now, initially I thought you were exploring the idea of both paint and/or fabric...

Looks like a very nice base to use for your project, and besides alot of those older models were built with really good woods, like you said yours has, so i wouldnt get too caught up in it just being a low end guitar... its probably made the same if not better than some guitars today in a much higher price range.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

I would practice on something else first. Would be curious how it turns out for you.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

metalchurch79 said:
Yes, I got you now, initially I thought you were exploring the idea of both paint and/or fabric...

Looks like a very nice base to use for your project, and besides alot of those older models were built with really good woods, like you said yours has, so i wouldnt get too caught up in it just being a low end guitar... its probably made the same if not better than some guitars today in a much higher price range.
Click to expand...

actually I would be doing some paint that I think about it. Would be doing a slight burst around the outside to hide the edge. I've always loved the old jem 77 which has a fabric top.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

treyhaislip said:
I would practice on something else first. Would be curious how it turns out for you.
Click to expand...

I was going to do a couple practice runs. I have some scrap wood that I was going to do a rough body (like a template style) and work on that. Plus there's a chain pawn shop by me that has some crap guitars for $40 that have been sitting there a while I might be able to snag for $20 and work on that. I really do love this guitar. Had it since it I was about 14 (was my first not completely cheapest thing on the shelf) and it was only a few years old when I got it.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

moth_baller said:
I was going to do a couple practice runs. I have some scrap wood that I was going to do a rough body (like a template style) and work on that. Plus there's a chain pawn shop by me that has some crap guitars for $40 that have been sitting there a while I might be able to snag for $20 and work on that. I really do love this guitar. Had it since it I was about 14 (was my first not completely cheapest thing on the shelf) and it was only a few years old when I got it.
Click to expand...

I had a similar Ibanez (SA160) and it was a very good guitar.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

I kinda like the natural, actually. I know it isn't an expensive guitar, but keeping the guitar the way you got it (especially since it has sentimental value) is pretty cool, too.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

I think Kramerstein has done some fabric finishes

Search out some of his threads, maybe there's a "how to" in there somewhere

(PS - I refinished my cheap Ibanez too...see profile pic to the left...makes a lot more sense than risking an expensive guitar's resale value)
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

moth_baller said:
I was going to do a couple practice runs. I have some scrap wood that I was going to do a rough body (like a template style) and work on that. Plus there's a chain pawn shop by me that has some crap guitars for $40 that have been sitting there a while I might be able to snag for $20 and work on that. I really do love this guitar. Had it since it I was about 14 (was my first not completely cheapest thing on the shelf) and it was only a few years old when I got it.
Click to expand...

Great idea, and I would do the same thing actually. Itll give you real world first hand experience that you can try different methods and ideas on.
Id imagine it would be a b!tch to have to re-do a fabric guitar if you messed it up or changed your mind. Keep us posted on your progress, this sounds like a very cool project.
 
Last edited:
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

treyhaislip said:
I had a similar Ibanez (SA160) and it was a very good guitar.
Click to expand...

Those are cool. Pretty much same guitar but in a small body. The new saddles showed up and I got it strung up and it's playing pretty good. Needs a couple frets knocked down some. Haven't decided if I want to block the trem, put a new bridge on or get a new bar for it. Don't know where it ended up.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

Taz Rules said:
I think Kramerstein has done some fabric finishes

Search out some of his threads, maybe there's a "how to" in there somewhere

(PS - I refinished my cheap Ibanez too...see profile pic to the left...makes a lot more sense than risking an expensive guitar's resale value)
Click to expand...

I will look that up. I've seen some vids already on how to do it. A couple using a vac sealer and a couple roll on. I like your finish you did on your ibanez. Looks killer.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

metalchurch79 said:
Great idea, and I would do the same thing actually. Itll give you real world first hand experience that you can try different methods and ideas on.
Id imagine it would be a b!tch to have to re-do a fabric guitar if you messed it up or changed your mind. Keep us posted on your progress, this sounds like a very cool project.
Click to expand...

Yeah I definitely want to give it a couple practice runs. Still combing through sites looking at fabrics. Not just going to jump right in. I got the guitar playing today again finally so I'm going to get to know it again for a while.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

Mincer said:
I kinda like the natural, actually. I know it isn't an expensive guitar, but keeping the guitar the way you got it (especially since it has sentimental value) is pretty cool, too.
Click to expand...

I do like the finish but not really at the same time. Ended up with this as a bday present. The guiyar shop right next to where I lived had a Satch hard tail natural signature model that I fell in love with. But it was 1400 bucks. They did mark it down to 700 but that way too much when to justify. Wish I would have ended up with it still to this day.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

Haha. Thought about maybe using one of my old tees. Have quite a few that need to be retired. Not enough real estate on the guitar to pull it off well I think.
 
Re: Want to refinish my old ibanez ex160

Same here, all I wear are band shirts and i have probably over 100 of them and some are retired. I wear a medium, and i think there would be enough to do the front of the guitar with that size shirt.

At any rate, if you decide to use a t-shirt, let me know cause my buddy just got a T-shirt press and he is making custom shirts, so whatever you want let me know and ill get it for you on the cheap.

Edit, I could have him print it on an xxxl shirt and put the print lower down so that you have the whole shirt to use as material and the arm pit area doesnt hold you back on positioning it, and therefore position the print so it flows well on the guitar.
Just a thought.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top