If you want to change the look of your guitar, a custom paint job is a great way to do it.It's not as easy to paint your guitar as it is to just paint it.The guitar needs to be taken apart and the old paint removed before you start painting it.You can apply a base color, a coat of sealer, and a clear coat to make the finish shiny.You can change the color of your guitar if you do everything correctly.
Step 1: There are screws in the guitar's body.
The neck of the guitar needs to be removed with aPhillips-Head screwdriver.The front of the guitar has screws and knobs.The guitar has screws on it.The plastic portions of the knobs have to be removed before you can remove the faceplate.
Step 2: The bridge and pickups have electrical components.
If you remove the screws from the guitar's face, you can connect the bridge and pickup wires.When you put your guitar back together, solder these.Take your guitar to a guitar store if you are unsure about taking it apart.Before you start painting the guitar, make sure the electrical wiring is removed.
Step 3: You can heat the old paint with a heat gun.
Put your heat gun or hairdryer in the lowest setting and move it back and forth across your guitar.It will be easier to lift up the paint on your guitar if you use the heat from your hairdryer or heat gun.Continue heating the paint for five minutes and then use a knife to poke at it.You can go onto the next step if the paint feels soft.If you hold the heat gun in one spot, you may burn the wood that's under the paint.
Step 4: Use a knife to remove the old paint.
Score a small spot on the softened paint.Don't worry if the old finish cracks off, just use your knife to remove it.Remove the old finish without damaging the wood under it.Use the heat gun again if the paint isn't coming off.You should see the wood grain under the finish once you're done.
Step 5: The guitar has a body.
The surface of the guitar's body can be sanded with a 100 grit sandpaper and sand.The guitar's body should be sanded down so that it is as smooth as possible.Sand the sides and edges of the guitar.You can sand it out with a 200 grit sandpaper after you've sanded it with 100.If it hurts your hands, use a sanding block.
Step 6: Put an automotive filler in the holes.
If you sand down your guitar, you're likely to find some bumps.Follow the instructions to create the sticky substance if you purchase an automotive filler online or in an auto shop.If you want to spread the filler over the divots in the guitar, use a plastic scraper.Allow the filler to dry for at least 20 minutes after the divots are filled.Bondo is a type of automotive filling.
Step 7: The guitar's surface should be flush with the automotive filler.
Once you've filled in all the holes and the guitar is relatively smooth, you need to do one last sanding.Continue until the automotive filler is flush with the guitar's body.
Step 8: The guitar needs to be cleaned with a dry rag.
If you saturate the wood grain on your guitar, it will get absorbed into the guitar.Take a microfiber cloth or a clean rag and wipe over the guitar's surface, making sure to remove any sawdust or debris that might be on it.The guitar will be sealed into the paint job.
Step 9: The guitar should be on a flat surface.
Drop cloths should be laid under the guitar so that the paint won't stain the surface.The guitar should be resting on top of the drop cloths.
Step 10: You can choose a wood cleaner.
Online or at a hardware store, you can purchase wood sealer.Purchase a water based wood stain.If you're painting your guitar a lighter color, use a white sealer.If you're painting a dark color, apply a gray primer.
Step 11: The guitar has wood on it.
Saturate a dry rag.When the rag is saturated, drag it along the surface of your guitar.Make long movements and don't scrub in a concentrated area.Once the back of the guitar is sealed, allow it to dry for 10 minutes, then turn it over and seal the front and sides.If your rag looks dirty, dispose of it and use a clean rag.Remove the shielding in the electronics bay and apply the sealer to the pickup and electronics cavities and neck pocket to be careful not to let it puddle in these areas.The areas that are overlooked allow water to enter the wood.
Step 12: Allow the guitar to dry and apply a few coats of sealer.
After an hour or two, come back and apply another coat of sealer.The colored coats of paint can be difficult to adhere to the guitar's body.Continue adding more coats until you have covered the guitar at least three times.It's a good idea to let the Sealer dry for an hour or two after each application.The wood grain will be a darker color once the guitar is sealed.
Step 13: Allow the seal to dry for three days.
To make sure the seal isn't wet or sticky, feel over it.The guitar should be dried in aventilated area so no one gets sick from the fumes.
Step 14: The shiny parts of the seal have to be sanded off.
Carefully sand over the shiny parts of the seal.If you sand too hard, you may expose the wood grain underneath.If you do this, simply apply more coats of sealer to the guitar and let it dry before moving on.The guitar should have a dull white or gray color.
Step 15: Pick a paint for your guitar.
The majority of guitar paint is polyester, polyurethane, and nitrocellulose.A harder, more plastic-feeling finish on your guitar can be achieved by using both nylon and Polyurethane.If you're unsure of what kind of paint to get, look for spray paint that's made specifically for guitars.
Step 16: All of the pocket edges should be kept 1/16 inch from the neck pocket.
It's hard to get the neck reinstalled if the paint builds up.The neck joint is the most important part of the guitar.You need to tape this off very well.
Step 17: You can spray your coat on the guitar.
The spray can should be positioned away from the guitar's body.You should cover the edges of the guitar.Press the button on the spray can and you can sweep the body of the guitar.
Step 18: Allow the paint to dry for ten minutes.
Touch the surface of the guitar to make sure the paint doesn't touch your hand.You will still be able to see the basecoat that you just sprayed because the paint is still sticky.
Step 19: If you want to spray the other side, flip the guitar over.
Once the guitar is dry, spray it on the other side.You should now have a basecoat on your guitar.
Step 20: Base paint should be applied to the guitar.
Allow the paint to dry for five minutes before applying the next coat.The entire guitar gets even coverage by flipping the guitar over.Continue to paint your guitar until it gets darker and richer.It could take anywhere from three to seven coats of paint.
Step 21: Let the paint dry.
Once you're done painting your guitar, you have to let the paint dry for a couple of days in aventilated area.You can move onto the next step once it's completely dry.
Step 22: Sand the paint with wet sandpaper.
Run your fingers over the guitar's surface, sides, and back to see if the paint is smooth.You should sand the paint down if it becomes bumpy or rises too high.Work the rough parts of your guitar while it's still wet by soaking the sandpaper in water overnight.The surface of your guitar will not be damaged.
Step 23: The guitar can be sprayed with clear lacquer.
The lacquer paint on your guitar will give it a shiny finish.You can buy clear lacquer paint at a home improvement store.The same way you sprayed the base coat, put four separate coats of lacquer on the guitar and let the paint dry for 90 minutes in between sprays.
Step 24: The guitar should be dry for three weeks.
As the paint dries, don't touch your guitar.During this time, the paint will cure and be a rich solid color, but will be missing the polish that guitars typically have.
Step 25: The guitar has car polish on it.
You can use a rag or cloth with car polish to work on the guitar's surface.This will make the shine on the guitar more reflective.Remove the remaining polish with a clean rag.
Step 26: You need to reassemble your guitar.
The shielding needs to be reinstalled in the electronics bay.Attach the wires from your bridge to your guitar's body wires.Attach the bridge and pickup to the front of the guitar with the screws you set aside before.Attach any knobs that you removed with a screw in the neck of your guitar.Your guitar needs to be reassembled.