Any ideas or advice on a DIY rattle can Refin? Snow Camo style

[tonemonster]

OK folks. here is the deal. I bought a Dinky Rev this past summer with a scarf joint separation. I fixed the scarf joint. I paid $50 for the guitar. it plays well, no problems. but it is beat up. its seen its day, but is still a player. now here is the thing.... I wont sink any money into it as there is fret wear, the neck repair, etc... it was a cheap guitar and I intend to keep it that way. but its scratched up alot, has dings, chips, etc... so I was thinking of doing a "snow camo" graphic myself with some rattle cans. I have 2 cans of flat enamel here that would get me started. now, keep in mind.... I am NOT looking for a perfect job here, keep in mind its camo, so it dont have to be perfect it just has to be decent and not rub off with sweaty hands, etc.... I am not looking for a show room guitar. I am looking for something that is good from far, but far from good. know what I mean?? here is the canvas I have to work with:



any ideas on compatiblity of paints, etc... I want to keep the cost down on this as much as possible. if I cant do it without it getting too spendy, I wont. just looking for a fun project to do myself for cheap on a banged up guitar. Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[straycat]

Very good guitars IMO the winter camo is a great idea.Cheap and easy too I would think.
All you would need is white and clear.

[DonP]

You need to rough up the finish so that the new paint has something to grab on to.

[tonemonster]

You need to rough up the finish so that the new paint has something to grab on to.

Yea, I will use some scotch brite pads to scuff it and then degrease it with some thinner or degreaser.

[sully]

Don't use enamel. It'll never cure enough.

[john.w.lawson]

I did this with Dupli-color acrylic enamel...Drys fast cured in a day or two..and almost looks factory.

[BigE13]

I did my Yellow and Black EVH tribute with good ole Krylon Acrylic Enamel. It does take longer to cure but if you are careful with it for a week or so it will be hard enough to use unless you bang it into furniture etc...I like the variety of colors that Krylon has. The Duplicolor seems not quite as vivid to me even with a good primer.

[tonemonster]

Well, the refin is coming along well so far. its ready for clear coat. I am going to clear coat it next week.

[catzodellamarina]

I've never done a polyurethane refin but I've read that stripping that stuff off is a pain. I guess that's why most guys sand really well, then paint. I'll need to try one this summer. Here's a link to my nitrocellulous laquer refin I did last summer. It's now one of my fav to play. http://www.instructables.com/id/Worn...een-50s-Strat/

[tonemonster]

I know there are alot of nitrocel lovers out there. to each their own. I dont like the chemically reactive and potential cracking characteristics it has. I like the durability of poly finishes. they are practically impervious to anything short of a sherman tank. I have had guitars refined with automotive paints before, and it works awesome. it looks great, and it is very very durable stuff. I am taking my snow camo to my buddy to clear coat tomorrow. I did all the "graphics" on it. I sanded prepped, masked and painted the camo pattern, and I laid down the warbird themed waterslide decals. she is already for clear now. I also sanded and oiled up the neck really nice. this one was the one I bought with the separated scarf joint on the neck. I fixed that, and wanted to see if it would hold before I went any further with it. so 6 months later, its still good. so I sanded and oiled up the neck with about 4 or 5 coats of tru oil, its smooooooooooth. I cleaned up the hardware really good. so I am all set to assemble when he is done clear coating it. I will post pics of it when I get it finished.

[tonemonster]

OK, here is the finished product. a few disclaimers first...... #1, this was a $50 guitar I bought with a separated scarf joint. I repaired it and its been fine. Since it has held, I put some finish time into the neck repair, I sanded it and oiled the neck. its really nice. so I used automotive rattle cans for the camo, and then I had a buddy clear coat it for me when he was painting a car. its NOT a professional paint job, its just a hobbyist job. there are certainly imperfections on it. some of the camo job I wanted it to look distressed or old. its not easy to do, but I tried. overall I am really pleased with it. it was a fun project and I really enjoyed doing it. the WW2 warbird decals I got off ebay for $9.00 that is the girl, the name, and the rising suns, and the bombs. I did the numbers myself.

See the OP on this thread for the "before" pics.











and here is the final neck repair. the neck was not broken, just separated at the joint. I reglued it and its worked well.

[wilkinsi]

You forgot to paint a peep on it

[cscoios]

Great job. I think it turned out really well. How about I send you my new Charvel So-Cal and you paint a Lynch Kamakazi on it?

[RacerX]

Yeah that looks good, man.

Also, nice cans!

[vklobucar]

Damm nice job!!