Painting An Acoustic Guitar? - Acoustic Guitar Forum

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Painting An Acoustic Guitar?

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Author	Topic: Painting An Acoustic Guitar?
spru21 New Member Posts: 1 From: Registered: Mar 2006	posted 03-22-2006 19:02 Okay, so I want to paint one of my acoustic guitars. It's an old, invaluable one to me, but I'd like to try it on that one before moving up to a better guitar. I do not want a solid colour, only to put a design with glossy paint on the guitar, such as green swirls or such, and keep everything around the swirls the same guitar finish. Do I need to strip the entire guitar? If so, can I just sand it down? What types of paint are safe without affecting sound? Thanks! IP: Logged
DiegoMoon Member Posts: 225 From: New Jersey Registered: Feb 2006	posted 03-23-2006 05:37 If you're concerned about the sound don't paint it. If you want to find out about musical instrument finishes take a trip to Stewart McDonald and look at what they are selling. The next thing would be to check out this site for Guitar Finishes [This message has been edited by DiegoMoon (edited 03-23-2006).] IP: Logged
dogbite Member Posts: 1319 From: mpls,mn,usa Registered: May 2004	posted 03-23-2006 05:46 back in the early 70's when I had hair down past my shoulders I painted my beater 12 string with stars and Van Goah swirls. I used acrylic paint. it adhered well enough, but I would think if you wanted a more permanent 'classier' job look into enamel paints. or somethng you could spray on. you will alter the sound and value of the guitar when you do this. I didnt strip the finish. but then I was pretty young then. IP: Logged
wwpete52 Member Posts: 687 From: Winlock, Wa, USA Registered: Aug 2004	posted 03-23-2006 06:46 Paint your acoustic guitar? Why don't you just place it behind the rear wheel on your car and back over it? Just kidding! It's your guitar. I agree about taking a look at the Stew Mac site. IP: Logged
Mike Neer Member Posts: 1325 From: Registered: Mar 2004	posted 03-23-2006 06:54 If you want to see some cool painted instruments, check out Robert Armstrong. IP: Logged
John B Member Posts: 1387 From: Registered: May 2000	posted 03-23-2006 09:44 Check out Peter Cree's work as well. By the way, when you say "invaluable" do you mean you cannot place a value on it because the value is so great (the rough definition of the work), or do you mean a guitar with little value? Big difference. If it has little value to you, I'd say go ahead. But if it's invaluable to you, I wouldn't do it. [This message has been edited by John B (edited 03-23-2006).] IP: Logged
DiegoMoon Member Posts: 225 From: New Jersey Registered: Feb 2006	posted 03-23-2006 11:50 In the early 60's I had a beater Harmony made Stella that I had painted like an American flag. Little did I know that Buck Owens would steal my design in the 70's. I think I painted that thing with whatever enamel was laying around my parents house but then again wasn't interested in the sound it made. That guitar was a chick magnet..... That does it, I'm painting my D-28. [This message has been edited by DiegoMoon (edited 03-23-2006).] IP: Logged
peavine Member Posts: 58 From: Pacific Northwet Registered: May 2005	posted 03-23-2006 16:02 The fellow who owned this Liberty before me painted it. I don't know what he used, though. IP: Logged
Slider Member Posts: 1651 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2002	posted 03-23-2006 16:07 quote: Originally posted by peavine: The fellow who owned this Liberty before me painted it. I don't know what he used, though. I suggest you use paint stripper! IP: Logged
Jubilee Valence Member Posts: 1927 From: Casa Grande, Ariz. Registered: Dec 2004	posted 03-24-2006 02:15 quote: Originally posted by John B: Check out Peter Cree's work as well. By the way, when you say "invaluable" do you mean you cannot place a value on it because the value is so great (the rough definition of the work), or do you mean a guitar with little value? Big difference. If it has little value to you, I'd say go ahead. But if it's invaluable to you, I wouldn't do it. [This message has been edited by John B (edited 03-23-2006).] I'll vouch for that one too! ....guy's a genius... ....and when I tell ya', I "ain't NO kind" of paid endorser, you can take that to the bank! -- ...seven little notes; that's all it takes...*click me! IP: Logged
Kirk Rogers Member Posts: 251 From: Pasadena, Ca USA Registered: Mar 2005	posted 03-24-2006 08:09 I suggest you play the hell out of that guitar and wear the paint off the finish. What a game to play. Guitar Ideas Kirk Rogers IP: Logged
Jeff H Member Posts: 74 From: Registered: Aug 2000	posted 03-24-2006 11:44 spray paint Hammerlite Or if you want sound enhancing paint .. do a search for Chromatone ( casket paint) or Zolatone ( 50's movie theatre paint) IP: Logged

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