(Log in to disable ads.)

I'm kinda brainstorming out loud here if you know what I mean. And really need any knowledge and input here... trying to create a work of art.

This is what I have to start with... (It's been cleaned since then)


Now I want to turn it into something that IMO looks awesome. I love maple tops that have like a sort of transparent, cool, grain-showing finish so if that is at all possible (which I really don't think it is but let me know anyway) it would be my first option.

I was also thinking of taking a dark but bright colour and then getting like a burst effect with the black around the edges.

My one worry is that it ends up looking bad because of the colour of the bridge and the pickups (which I am thinking of changing anyway).

If anyone has any ideas that they think would look cool, let me hear (or see) them please!
    It mostly depends on what's underneath that black polyurethane - it's not likely to be a nice piece of grainy wood, which is probably the reason why they put a coat of flat colour on it in the first place. The only way to find out though, is to strip it! ?
      I'm thinking that it's not a thoroughly wicked looking guitar. So give it a light tobacco sunburst, or do it in a translucent leaf green or off-white.
        singemonkey wrote: I'm thinking that it's not a thoroughly wicked looking guitar. So give it a light tobacco sunburst, or do it in a translucent leaf green or off-white.
        That's pretty true

        But I guess nicovlogg is right, the first step is to strip it... How am I going to do that exatctly?
          D-Man wrote: the first step is to strip it... How am I going to do that exatctly?
          Be patient. Give her some privacy. Don't rush her...
            There's a couple of topics on this forum about stripping. Not that kind :-\

            But basically, it's either mechanical (chipping or sanding the finish down) or chemical.
              I'm with the others. Strip it down completely, sand it all smooth, and then take it further from there.
                Good one aja

                it seems fate has decided it to be Silverburst... I swear there counldn't be a better match to what I had in mind than that guitar. Was it refinished or was t bought that way?
                  The next two refinishes that I want to do - depending on the guitars - will be a camo and a clear effect to bring out the wood. That might look nice as a camo finish?
                    Well I should mention that this is my first refinishing project and I don't have much money to spend on it right now... Then again, I'm always up for a challenge. I'm going to need to play every night this week and I'm going to be very busy. This is my backup guitar so if anything goes wrong I want to be able to use this one... So I'll probably strip it down next week. I'll most definitely be sanding it down either with good ol' elbow grease or with an oscillating sander... I have no idea how to do this or what to use so I'll be doing my research, any tips maybe?
                      IF you are sanding, try use silicon sanding coated sanding paper, instead of wood (which has sand particles) - it'll take more of the finish off, lasts longer and doesn't clog as easy. That's all I can help with!
                        14 days later
                        The show finished a week ago. It went awesome and, even though it was a school musical and I played two uniqueish riffs and some power chords, It was an awesome experience and I actually learnt a few things... I'm now trying to pluck up the courage to start the refinish. I know that before I can do anything I'll have to strip it and then I'll paint but roughly how much money and time can I/should I plan to spend on the whole project. I don't know if it makes a difference but I'm thinking of either a solid matte finish or a silver burst, and I'll probably be able to spend an hour or two average each day
                          For a Flying V that I stripped and painted white, it probably took about a week to strip and sand (just doing it after work at night) and then probably about a weekend to paint, including drying times etc. Cost wise... cant be too sure, but think I spent about R100-R200 on sandpaper and R300ish on spraypaint
                            Thanks a lot man... I'll surely be begging for money soon
                              Write a Reply...