Choosing the right paint or stain is an important step in the process. First, choose a durable paint such as nitrocellulose or polyurethane for a long-lasting finish. Second, water-based stains should be used with a clear coat. Here are a few tips for choosing a stain or paint for your guitar.
Masking off the neck pocket
When custom painted guitar, the first step is masking off the neck pocket. Traditionally, this guitar part was left blank, so the builder could make notes about any special information. A small black magic marker about 3/16 inch wide was typically used to darken the platform’s edge. The neck pocket is one of the most vulnerable parts of the guitar, so it must be treated with care.
Before spraying the guitar body, you must mask off the binding, tuning peg holes, bridge, and tailpiece. You should also mask off the fretboard. If the neck pocket is made of binding, you can scrape it clean with a razor blade.
Filling divots in guitar body with automotive filler
When sanding your guitar body, you may notice divots and bumps. If this is happening, you can fill these imperfections with automotive filler. This filler is available in auto stores and online. You need to use a plastic scraper to apply the filler evenly, and you should allow it to dry for about 20 minutes. After that, you can use Bondo or another automotive filler.
Filling divots and cracks in an acoustic guitar body is a quick and easy way to repair the instrument. To begin, remove the preamp. Once removed, sand the area around the hole to remove any excess glue. Next, apply wood filler to the area. Once the filler dries, you’ll need to sand it down to match the rest of the guitar. Afterward, apply a coat of lacquer to finish the piece.
Choosing a relic finish
When choosing a relic finish for your custom painted guitar, several factors must be considered. First, you should carefully consider where you want to apply the relic finish on your guitar. Skipping this step can result in an amateurish finish that will look too obvious. Some obvious targets for relicing include the bridge and neck. The goal is to create the appearance of natural wear and tear on your guitar by applying dents, chips, and dings in these locations.
After you choose the finish, you must carefully examine the guitar to see which parts are most likely to suffer from the relicing process. Then, you can either opt for nitrocellulose or urethane finishes. Both types of finishes can be reliced, but you must pay special attention to the hardware. You don’t want new hardware sticking out of your guitar’s relic finish. You should also take care not to forget the bridge, pickups, and tailpiece.
