Guitar painting
- Thread starter Cpt.Nemo
- Start date
"2k" was a particular paint system, originally 2k acran (see - '80's painter...) got shortened to 2k... lots of different clears and systems but most people know what you mean by 2k... kind of like all breathable fabirc is "goretex"...
Nada
Air-Valve Autobot!
There is a lot to sort out when ot comes to paints. And the market changes. That is why wicked paint is so popular. Its a do it all paint with no reactions. (There are others)
What brand and model guitar is it? Do you know yet?
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
No I'll find out today and maybe get a photo of it. I want to use wicked paints since I'm used to them. Probably straight out of the bottle since I'll be using a larger airbrush and stencils instead of actually airbrushing it artistically. But I was wondering, can I put lacquer over the finish that's on it already? will lacquer go over a 2k clear if that's what's on there?
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
Ok so here's pretty much what the guitar looks like. Minus a few pieces of hardware
It's solid black, I just photoshopped the design on there as an idea to show the client. Apparently neck is glued on so i guess I'll be taping that off. Also he wants auto clear instead of lacquer
It's solid black, I just photoshopped the design on there as an idea to show the client. Apparently neck is glued on so i guess I'll be taping that off. Also he wants auto clear instead of lacquer
Nada
Air-Valve Autobot!
Well unless he or someone else glued
Im going to assume you do not have a small hvlp gun to clear with?
The neck shouldnt be glued. Not on that guitar.Ok so here's pretty much what the guitar looks like. Minus a few pieces of hardware
It's solid black, I just photoshopped the design on there as an idea to show the client. Apparently neck is glued on so i guess I'll be taping that off. Also he wants auto clear instead of lacquer
Im going to assume you do not have a small hvlp gun to clear with?
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
I have a large external mix siphon feed passhe airbrush, and a mini HVLP gun from harbor freight but nothing fancy. Will those be good enough? Used the mini harbor freight on my bow and other stuff and it gets a decently smooth finish. Idk why the neck is glued but he said it is
Nada
Air-Valve Autobot!
I use a harbour freight mini gun. They are fine. Auto clear can have several meanings
Anyway no worries with using 2K as far as paint reactions go. We are back to.
Clean entire surface. Wipe down with a good degreaser
Scuff surface a red or grey scotchbrite is awesome for this.
Clean again all sanding dust etc
Tape up, paint stripes
Clearcoat.
Done
Its tough to say use a flex agent because 2k is pretty flexible as is.
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
Ok great! Want to keep as simple as possible. Im willing to buy other products but I'd rather stick with what I know and what I've used before. Just found my HF mini in a bucket of water that I was rinsing it in...oops... Totally rusted out so I'll need another. But at $15, not a big deal
Nada
Air-Valve Autobot!
They dont sell a mini hvlp cheap anymore. The big 20oz one is less than half the mini... go figure.
They do have a mini traditional gun. It works well too, if you dont mind the overspray.
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
Oh yeah that's the one I had. The 20 Oz hvlp. Suppose I should spring for the $35 one. Looks a little more sturdy.
Nada
Air-Valve Autobot!
I have been hoping they would have a sale on that 4oz hvlp.. not that i NEED it. Still not very pricey. Hell i own 3 spray guns.. but that little hvlp just looks like it would be easier for the small projects.
Nada
Air-Valve Autobot!
I play or used to play guitar... nkw they mostly collect dust. I dont have an electric anymore.
Being i was mechanically inclined and very good with tools. I was the guy all my musician friends would bring their guitars to.
My old room mate who is a world class guitar player. Used to work for Gibson. His job was to set the intonation on guitars as they left the factory and test. He taught me a bit about guitar repairs. I grew up doing woodworking. So i customized several. Built a couple etc. When scalloped fretboards were the rage i probably modified another 20 guitar necks.
I sang for a metal band a while in the 80s.. wow sooooooo damn long ago
Being i was mechanically inclined and very good with tools. I was the guy all my musician friends would bring their guitars to.
My old room mate who is a world class guitar player. Used to work for Gibson. His job was to set the intonation on guitars as they left the factory and test. He taught me a bit about guitar repairs. I grew up doing woodworking. So i customized several. Built a couple etc. When scalloped fretboards were the rage i probably modified another 20 guitar necks.
I sang for a metal band a while in the 80s.. wow sooooooo damn long ago
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
Yeah what is it with these spray guns and airbrushes. I think it's becoming a shopping addiction 
. HF always has sales and I have 20% off coupons so that's like $30 for the 4oz.
Wow nada that's some pretty cool experience there! I do some wood working but just cutting boards and such for Christmas gifts. Love it but too impatient to build an instrument.
So you think $275 is expensive? It's a $600 guitar and I'm doing the back of a neck of another one in the deal too. Seemed like a fair price for my time since I have to tape off parts.
. HF always has sales and I have 20% off coupons so that's like $30 for the 4oz. Wow nada that's some pretty cool experience there! I do some wood working but just cutting boards and such for Christmas gifts. Love it but too impatient to build an instrument.
So you think $275 is expensive? It's a $600 guitar and I'm doing the back of a neck of another one in the deal too. Seemed like a fair price for my time since I have to tape off parts.
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
On top of repainting his electric he wants the back of this neck touched up. It's a clear on it so I assume I'll scuff that up and paint right over it. Clean it up and make it shine
This is the clients electric. 6 string used mostly for jazz.
Might do some candy paint to make it fancy. Pearl or metal flake if he wants, still working on design ideas and colors
Cpt.Nemo
Gravity Guru
So @Nada if you've done all this guitar work have you ever had to paint an acoustic? Client asked me about airbrushing his acoustic a little around the sound hole. My experience with instruments is that you never put paint on the wood as it changes the sound quality. Is that true or have I just never come across many painted acoustics
splasha
Detail Decepticon!
What you have been told is true.
If you apply anything to the surface of acoustic instruments UNLESS they have been previously sealed with something like urethane, you will alter it's characteristics accordingly.
Because, by doing this, you thicken the surface - thereby stiffening it and making it less able to vibrate.
This causes the change in the materials ability to transmit sound waves, thus making it sound different from it's original form.
I'd say that unless you [or the person requesting the paint job, ] no longer wish to play it then go ahead.
If they still want it done, make them aware that by doing it, it MAY alter it's playability.
Not saying it can't be done, it's just that imho, it really needs to be done by either a specialist properly trained in it, [or by someone way better than me!]
I'd try and find a specialist.:timid:
If you apply anything to the surface of acoustic instruments UNLESS they have been previously sealed with something like urethane, you will alter it's characteristics accordingly.
Because, by doing this, you thicken the surface - thereby stiffening it and making it less able to vibrate.
This causes the change in the materials ability to transmit sound waves, thus making it sound different from it's original form.
I'd say that unless you [or the person requesting the paint job, ] no longer wish to play it then go ahead.
If they still want it done, make them aware that by doing it, it MAY alter it's playability.
Not saying it can't be done, it's just that imho, it really needs to be done by either a specialist properly trained in it, [or by someone way better than me!]
I'd try and find a specialist.:timid:
KustomCandy
Needle-chuck Ninja
Sorry, mate,
These ones you CAN paint without much fear of altering sound, mostly because of the electrics involved.
Go for it.
He was Mate.
The Acoustic maybe a second job. So still relevant.
Dan
