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Help - Painting a pickguard

RoboTrem

RoboTrem

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East coast, soon to be west coast.
I'm pretty good with a spray-can and designing/cutting stencils, so I thought I'd go ahead and do some hot rod flames on my Sub 1's pickguard. I've painted guitars before with varying results, but I've never tried to paint the hardware or plastic parts.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone around here has tried to paint a detailed image on a pickguard before and what was the result. Actually any tips on painting the pickguard (so that it will actually last) would be greatly appreciated!!
 
PugNinjas

PugNinjas

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When I used to own an different company's product I would constantly paint the back of clear pickguards. They are not too expensive to order and the final product used to last for ages.



Vegas pug
 
Colin

Colin

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PugNinjas said:
When I used to own an different company's product I would constantly paint the back of clear pickguards. They are not too expensive to order and the final product used to last for ages.



Vegas pug
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Jack (bovinehost) did a similar thing awhile back. Looked very cool.
 
Tim O'Sullivan

Tim O'Sullivan

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PugNinjas said:
When I used to own an different company's product I would constantly paint the back of clear pickguards. They are not too expensive to order and the final product used to last for ages.



Vegas pug
Click to expand...

I was just going to suggest this, but you beat me to it!
 
RoboTrem

RoboTrem

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East coast, soon to be west coast.
PugNinjas said:
When I used to own an different company's product I would constantly paint the back of clear pickguards. They are not too expensive to order and the final product used to last for ages.



Vegas pug
Click to expand...


Hey - That's a great idea! Do you remember where you used to order the clear pickguards from?

This could present some challenges... Doing the flame fades from top to bottom could be very tricky, but the results would be well worth it. I guess I better buy an extra to practice on! ;)
 
Spudmurphy

Spudmurphy

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PeteDuBaldo said:
Right, you should definitely paint the back of a clear pickguard. I've done this in the past and it's the only way to guarantee that the paint doesn't get messed up from pick & finger scratches.
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Pete is spot on with this.
When I had my custom Tele built, the "builder" couldn't find scratchplate material to match the binding (at the time).
So he sprayed the back of a clear 'guard and its been on the guitar since 1985.
So it WILL last !
Spud
 
RoboTrem

RoboTrem

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Messages
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Location
East coast, soon to be west coast.
Well, I picked up some Krylon paints and tried it out on an old black backplate. On one side I followed their directions and just sprayed it with no prep. As expected, it dried and chips off very easily. It's also very rough and unpleasant to touch without any clear coat.

On the other side, I sanded it, sprayed it and then put on a couple of clear coats. Now I'm just waiting for that to dry through. Already, though it's smooth and feels a little tougher.

However, I expect that the clear pickguard is the way to go... Of course, I was hoping to get away without shelling out more money, since I bought the sub to save money. But isn't that always the way! ;) I did check out pickguard heaven and I'm a little bummed that it will take three weeks for them to cut it and cost a little more than I'd like to pay for a piece of plastic. But then again, doing it right is worth way more than saving a few dollars.

Thanks again for all the help! I will post pics when it's finished. Of course, this might be a while now...
 
geektard

geektard

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Brilliant idea! How come I've never thought of this? Hey, maybe you don't even need to paint the pg, just draw on a piece of paper and tuck it behind the clear pg.

Hmmm... I might be able to work the September centerfold into my "custom design"... :D




PugNinjas said:
I would constantly paint the back of clear pickguards. ..
Click to expand...
 
Spudmurphy

Spudmurphy

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RoboTrem said:
PS: How do you guys (PugNinjas, Spudmurphy) like your Albert Lee MMs?

I love the shape of those things, and I imagine it plays even better than it looks. When I get back on my feet, I will be seriously considering one.

Edit:
Haha - I just read this thread and answered my own question - http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17392
:)
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Love it (and so does Pug)
I have the SSS and Pug has the MM90's.

I expect to get another AL next year with MM90's so will be able to do an A/B comparison.

The shape puts some people off but when you see them in the flesh thay grow on the "unbelievers"!!!

People have also said "is that a full size guitar?" - I guess it's the illusion the headstock gives to it.
Go on - you know you want one (or maybe 2?):D
 
PugNinjas

PugNinjas

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Spudmurphy said:
Love it (and so does Pug)
I have the SSS and Pug has the MM90's.

I expect to get another AL next year with MM90's so will be able to do an A/B comparison.

The shape puts some people off but when you see them in the flesh thay grow on the "unbelievers"!!!

People have also said "is that a full size guitar?" - I guess it's the illusion the headstock gives to it.
Go on - you know you want one (or maybe 2?):D
Click to expand...



I totally agree with Spud. The AL is amazing, plain and simple. The mm90's can cover pretty much anything you need to accomplish, style-wise. I am going to be checking out KBaim's AL with the single coils next month and I will be able to do a nice test running it through my set-up side by side with my AL.

Vegas Pug
 
PugNinjas

PugNinjas

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I just found a picture of what I used to do to clear pickguards before I started to paint them up. It's not appropriate for these forums;) so I will not post it here but if you're interested drop me a pm and I will send you a link.


Vegas Pug
 
geektard

geektard

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Jul 4, 2006
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81
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Boston, MA
LOL, built-in picture frame! Ever thought of putting a small flash player over there so you can slideshow the whole set of pictorial? ;) ;) ;)



Tim O'Sullivan said:
A friend of mine used to do that with a Yamaha with a clear pickguard!
Click to expand...
 
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