What are the steps taken to paint an electric guitar?
MetalMonsterGuitar asked:
I’m bulding a Les Paul to replicate Buckethead’s guitar. I know the products i need to paint. I need a sand\sealer for the wood, white lacquer based primer, white paint, and gloss lacquer finish. I was planning on getting these from the Guitar ReReanch website. But if anyone knows the steps taken to paint the guitar, please tell. It would be an all white paint, no sunburst or logos. Google bucketheads les paul if u want a picture.
I’m bulding a Les Paul to replicate Buckethead’s guitar. I know the products i need to paint. I need a sand\sealer for the wood, white lacquer based primer, white paint, and gloss lacquer finish. I was planning on getting these from the Guitar ReReanch website. But if anyone knows the steps taken to paint the guitar, please tell. It would be an all white paint, no sunburst or logos. Google bucketheads les paul if u want a picture.
Short answer is to use auto prep & painting techniques.
Would consider taking it & the paint you are getting to an auto shop & let them do it for you.
Can also have them spray auto paint which is very similar to factory guitar finishes.
Auto primers & paint in spraycans can give a very fine finish but it takes the hand rubbing to bring it up.
Many fine guitars do not have a factory clearcoat ( cheating) & just give the lacquer a final buffing.
Good lacquer can be brushed on , rubbed & buffed to a fine finish if you cannot spray & want to DIY.
Hardly anyone hand rubs lacquer anymore but an old timer at a body shop might.
Search lacquer finishes & application , then make up your mind.
Luthiers that will finish guitars are in the 3 to 5 hundred dollar range.
Best regards. split dog