Thread: Advice for guitar

Your questions are very broad and you probably need to do a bit more research. In my confusion with painting I started a thread and got quite a bit of food for thought. See this link:

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f98/pa...onfused-73221/

The finishing section of Project Guitar is probably another good resource.

Project Guitar Forum -> Inlays and Finishing Chat

But ...

I did my first two guitars with auto paint in spray cans bought from SuperCheap. I rushed the first one and did an okay job ... I took my time with the second and did a good job.

For my third build I bought an inexpensive spray set up and used nitrocellulose lacquer, took my time with it, and got a great result.

So, it's feasible to use auto spray cans and get a great result ... and some guitar manufacturers have used auto paint. But I think a lot of people here will tell you to get a spray set up and try nitro.

And fixing small dings ... there's a lot of good wood fillers that can also be thinned for use as a grain filler. But avoid dings in the first place .... put down a towel or carpet on your bench.

But there's others here who have much more experience than I.

Thanks for the help.
Just wondering about the nitro. Heard that wasn't real easy to get. Is there anywhere i can walk in and buy it or do i have to order it online?

Originally Posted by jokerthecard

Thanks for the help.
Just wondering about the nitro. Heard that wasn't real easy to get. Is there anywhere i can walk in and buy it or do i have to order it online?

If you're after spraycans, scroll down to the bottom of the link
VHT Wrinkle Plus, Epoxy and Special Paints from Speco Thomas

Originally Posted by jokerthecard

1 - Which type of paint (and approx no. of layers) should i use, acrylic/enamel/some sort of lacquer etc. as i have bought some enamel and am now doubting my option.

2 - the best type of clearcoat and how many coats.

3 - The best option for putty type to use when fixing up small dings in the body.
Thanks heaps, Joker...

Mate asking those sorts of questions can only end in tears but hey, thats all a part of learning too i guess.

1. Im a big fan of acrylics because they are an easy clean up, usually dry faster, non toxic, seem to sand much easier than oils and usually cheaper.

2. I came across a 2 pack years ago called 7008. It's hard as hell, near impossible to mark, toxic and costs a bundle, but worth every cent, healthy blood cell and the stress of cleaning up

3. I go for the general puttys, but if you are doing a solid colour you could go for epoxy auto body filler and prime over with an acrylic

I just realized i didnt check the date of your post, so if its ages old, disreguard everything ive said

hey,
I did my first build with VHT rattlecan nitro from carbling.com.au. VERY happy with results but a shitload of work! (2-3 cans per body)
I think I did about 14 coats, 2 at a time, fine dry sand between. Then wet sand as fine as you can, then cut & polish products to get really smooth glossy finish - I used Meguires mirror glaze 17 plastic polish to finish. ( got a better shine than other car polish products I tried. hard to get here - had some at work - trying to find more - any ideas anyone?!)
I don't know how this compares to setting up a spray unit - probably a lot harder work, but for someone who doesn't spray often, maybe better????????
PS: do a bit of practice on scrap - not just flat stuff either - the hardest parts are the curves etc, where the coverage can get a bit thick or thin.
waste a can on that & you'll thank yourself later!
cheers
PJ