The first step in electric guitar painting is to choose the paint or stain you’d like to use. A durable paint, such as nitrocellulose or polyurethane, is the best option if you’d like a solid color that won’t wear away. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to keep the original tone of your guitar, you can use oils or waxes.
Spray paints are convenient and versatile:
Spray paints can be applied on various surfaces, including wood, metal, and ceramic. They are easy to apply and take less than 20 minutes to dry. They also adhere to various textures, such as the electric guitar painting. For maximum effects, use gloss acrylic paint to coat the instrument.
The advantages of spray paints over brushes are many. For instance, spray paints are convenient and versatile, and you can buy a wide variety from reputable companies. Even small companies offer decent spray paints. Some users still prefer brushes, but spraying is much easier and faster. Besides, spraying also leaves a smooth surface.
The disadvantages of spray paints are that it is easy to get the wrong type. In addition, the paint can be too thick or too thin, which is not what you’re looking for. So, before you spray paint the instrument, make sure that you have a good ventilation area. Also, you need to wear protective gear. The distance between you and the surface you want to paint should be around 25 cm. Remember that spray paints are not meant for painting objects close to each other.
Oils and waxes are great at retaining your guitar’s tone:
If you’re looking for a way to clean your guitar while preserving the tone, you can use car wax or food oils. The problem with these products is that they can dry out the fretboard wood or damage the glue joints on the neck of your guitar. Instead, you should use special products designed specifically for guitars.
Shellac is a great choice for guitars with a natural wood finish, as it is easy to apply. French polishing, which creates an ultra-shiny finish, requires more work but leaves a stunning gloss. However, shellac is not a heat-resistant finish, so make sure you store your guitar away from heat and humidity.
While spraying a gloss finish is a great option, you will need a well-ventilated space to apply it outside. Thankfully, there are many different guitar wax and oil products available on the market, which are great at preserving the tone and quality of your guitar.
Polyurethane is the most commonly used finish:
Polyurethane is a type of coating that has a high gloss. However, this finish has a few drawbacks. It can scratch easily and tends to have a hazy appearance. It is also subject to ongoing cross-linking, which can hurt tone. For this reason, most polyurethane finishes are applied using a catalyzed hardener.
Nitro lacquer is another type of finish, but it has several disadvantages. It is not as tough as polyurethane and is subject to cracking and wear. This type of finish is also not very environmental-friendly. Also, it can be dangerous for children and pets who may come into contact with it.
