Painting help

giggsy

Okay, busy sanding down a guitar for my second ever respray. But here's the catch... I'm not going with a simple one colour design like previously, this time I'm going to paint it camo.

So my question is: after the base coat and then the first coat, how should I go about applying the pattern for the subsequent coats? I had thought using a clear 'sticker' - kind of like the stuff you used to wrap schoolbooks with - but what are the chances of that ripping off the other coats when removed? Any other ideas or tips? Thanks 8)

Gearhead

masking tape?

costafonix

Giggsy wrote
So my question is: after the base coat and then the first coat, how should I go about applying the pattern for the subsequent coats? I had thought using a clear 'sticker' - kind of like the stuff you used to wrap schoolbooks with - but what are the chances of that ripping off the other coats when removed? Any other ideas or tips? Thanks 8)

don't use the clear sticky stuff, if will rip off some paint, I'd go by Gearheads suggestion on masking tape,, the glue on that is a lot more gentle.

giggsy

CostaFonix wrote don't use the clear sticky stuff, if will rip off some paint, I'd go by Gearheads suggestion on masking tape,, the glue on that is a lot more gentle.

Thanks guys - I had thought of that, but getting the patterns right will be a lot harder... will play around later on some scrap pieces later and see how it goes. The plus side is that it will be a pretty random pattern.

costafonix

try this -
http://www.ehow.com/how_6372697_paint-guitar-camo.html

and don't forget to take pics of each step along the way,,, ?

flatfourfan

Go to an auto paint centre and buy the blue masking tape that's used for automotive spraying.

I think 3M call is delicate 3m Scotch Blue. It won't pull of any paint and doens't leave any gunk. plus it doens't come off until you pull it off.

Tonedef

Giggsy wrote Thanks guys - I had thought of that, but getting the patterns right will be a lot harder... will play around later on some scrap pieces later and see how it goes. The plus side is that it will be a pretty random pattern.

Are you trying for a digital camo effect? That would be pretty cool - but will be a bitch to do.

MikeM

Digital camo would look awesome! Less "hot rod flame" style than regular camo ?

giggsy

Tonedef wrote
Giggsy wrote Thanks guys - I had thought of that, but getting the patterns right will be a lot harder... will play around later on some scrap pieces later and see how it goes. The plus side is that it will be a pretty random pattern.
Are you trying for a digital camo effect? That would be pretty cool - but will be a bitch to do.

Bugger... now you had to go and complicate things, didn't you? >☹ That would look awesome!

And thanks FFF - will get myself some of that stuff

MikeM

Having some vinyl cut at a signage place won't help will it?

Tonedef

MikeM wrote Having some vinyl cut at a signage place won't help will it?

That stuff REALLY sticks. But heating with hairdryer helps to make it pull off easier. Viable but tricky.

flatfourfan

MikeM wrote Having some vinyl cut at a signage place won't help will it?

that actually sounds like a great idea..........nice and easy too........just dunno what cost would be like.

I say buy a roll or two of blue tape and cover the whole guitar and then draw and cut off what you want...........

MikeM

Dust some baby power on first?

Tonedef

What sort of guit is it? Strips of tape will be much easier to lay on a surface that's curved in 2 or 3 dimensions, than flat vinyl would be.

MikeM wrote Dust some baby power on first?

That sounds like a pretty good suggestion! Baby powder and digital camo. Something or other about the duality of man, sir!

flatfourfan

MikeM wrote Dust some baby power on first?

Yeah baby power rocks.

MikeM

Hahaha yes yes thanks guys. Meant to type baby powder. And no that's not powdered babies.

Tonedef

Lol I didn't even see the typo!

Isn't baby powder that stuff you dust around to keep babies away? Like flea powder?

I need to go dust some! *touch wood*

flatfourfan

only thing that I've noticed with baby powder is that stuff don't like to stick to it that much, that's why i recommended the blue 3m stuff....so you could be in the middle of painting and the tape can start to lift.

MikeM

If the vinyl stuff is so super sticky, dust some baby powder on very lightly to make it less sticky. I did that with masking tape on paper at a stage. You'll have to test to see just how little you need to get it to adhere properly.

flatfourfan

MikeM wrote If the vinyl stuff is so super sticky, dust some baby powder on very lightly to make it less sticky. I did that with masking tape on paper at a stage. You'll have to test to see just how little you need to get it to adhere properly.

100%

I just spoke to Q-photo in Hatfield and they said that if the client brings the design, they can put it down on vinyl to cover a strat shapped guitar for about R80-R100.