Mike's Pedal Thread

Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:12 am

ROLF.

They worked great, I did Reece's Saltbooster with one, and printed the decals onto the correct Inkjet paper when I got home after rehearsal. Then I lacquered the paper this morning to protect it from the water this morning, should be able to apply it tomorrow if the lacquer has dried by then.

I also did a Saltbooster and a FuzzFace for the website using your drilling guides.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:16 am

I'm really keen to see some pics, vey exciting.

Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:19 am

Don't worry, as soon as I get them on there I'll take some pictures, the only issue is that having decent decals adds an extra 48 hours to the finishing process, since the decal itself needs 24 hours to dry before you can clearcoat it, and I plan to do two coats of clear coat. I'm pretty busy this week but I hope to have some photos up over teh weekend, even if they're just "in progress" pictures not after the second clearcoat.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:16 am

Making regular orders and building up a bit of stock at the same time will be time consuming but totally worth it in the end.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:32 pm

Nice one Mike - paint sounds great.

Post by **Mike** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:26 am

This morning:

- Applied Reece's decal and let it dry for a bit before laying clearcoat. I'll lay a second coat tonight. Pictures tonight
- Second coat of metallic black on Lamp's pedal. Clearcoat tonight.

- Saltbooster case painted orange
- Fuzzface case painted gold

roachello · Post by **roachello** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:26 am

Question-

What kind (poly?) and how much clear coat do you put to protect the paint? And will this clear coat seal and protect hand painted pedals? (How effective is it?)

Post by **Mike** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:43 am

I use acrylic clear coat from the automotive store. It's pretty good, but it's not going to be a super hardcore coating, I think you need to bake the finish on in a toaster oven (I don't have one unfortunately - plus it means you can never use it for food again, it has to be a pedal only oven from then on unless you want toxic potpies) to have a really hard finish like a pro pedal.

I do two heavy coats, I mist up until I can see a flat coating of lacquer on the pedal surface in reflective natural light, then leave for 6 hours before doing the same. Then it's generally 24-48 hours before you can work on the pedal. Should be absolutely fine on handpainted stuff.

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:46 am

This was the first attempt at Reece's decal, unfortunately I lacquered it too soon and when I came home I discovered it had all shrivelled up. ARGH.

I peeled it off and reapplied another, but the finish has been compromised a bit, which is a shame. I'll take pictures of that and if Reece isn't happy I'll sand it all off and re-do the whole finishing process for him. The new one is less wrinkled and doesn't have the minor ink loss at the top that this one did, but the final underneath has some checking from when the other decal was removed.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:48 am

It still looks well. This proper next stage stuff.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:55 am

woah, even with the wrinkleyness that looks mega. if the new decal is better then that;s, well, even better!

balls to re-doing the finish, that's silly. unless of course half the paints missing or something, but even that might look cool. all mercenary and whatnot.

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 01, 2009 6:05 am

Reece wrote:woah, even with the wrinkleyness that looks mega. if the new decal is better then that;s, well, even better!

balls to re-doing the finish, that's silly. unless of course half the paints missing or something, but even that might look cool. all mercenary and whatnot.

Nah it's nothing like hunks missing, just some cracking. When the clearcoat has dried I'll take some pictures in daylight tomorrow as the case looks now and you can make the call from there, I'm more than happy to redo it.

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:44 am

I think it looks pretty cool and wait to it starts relicing, goner look even cooler

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:14 am

The decal looks well good Mike. Very pro.

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:19 am

I'm not 100% happy, but I'll keep cracking on. I always find the cosmetics the hardest part.

Your pedal has had three coats of paint and a coat of lacquer. The decal label (same as the old style labels as it's just the name of the pedal) has been applied to the back, red face with CRUNCH BOX. Subtle because the label is transparent so bright red isn't really a possibility.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:50 am

You know when you remember something just after the event? I think I might have known that about the decal and clearcoat. Fuck. Fits well, though.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:52 am

Mike wrote:I'm not 100% happy, but I'll keep cracking on. I always find the cosmetics the hardest part.

Your pedal has had three coats of paint and a coat of lacquer. The decal label (same as the old style labels as it's just the name of the pedal) has been applied to the back, red face with CRUNCH BOX. Subtle because the label is transparent so bright red isn't really a possibility.

Sounds good mate.
I'm going to try and get round to sending you my Blackstar footswitch this weekend, then you can send me them both back together if that's cool.

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:53 am

benecol wrote:You know when you remember something just after the event? I think I might have known that about the decal and clearcoat. Fuck. Fits well, though.

You mean that they need to really dry out before you clearcoat?

Lesson Learned. Thanks for doing the designs. I also did an Orange saltbooster today for the website, pictures of all will follow this evening/tomorrow morning.
I have also lacquered the decal (there are so many steps now) for a Fuzzface which is drilled and painted Gold.

I have had cases and parts arrive for my other builds. Any chance we could get drilling guides for the following knocked up over the next week or so (no rush, I'm not going to be over my folks next week):

SaltShaker
SaltShakerLite
Green Muff
Green Muff with Mids/Diode Switch
Echo Base Lite

Post by **Mike** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:57 am

lamp wrote:
Mike wrote:I'm not 100% happy, but I'll keep cracking on. I always find the cosmetics the hardest part.

Your pedal has had three coats of paint and a coat of lacquer. The decal label (same as the old style labels as it's just the name of the pedal) has been applied to the back, red face with CRUNCH BOX. Subtle because the label is transparent so bright red isn't really a possibility.
Sounds good mate.
I'm going to try and get round to sending you my Blackstar footswitch this weekend, then you can send me them both back together if that's cool.

I'm happy to post them separately if the timing doesn't work out.

Just as an FYI, I will try and get your pedal done and demo'd this weekend and back to you early doors next weekend as I have a busy week next week:

Mon - Bank Hol - probably building pedals
Tuesday - potential pancakes practise
Wed - football match
Thurs - Art Brut gig
Fri->Sun - Paris

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:59 am

There's absolutely no rush mate, so no drama at all. Whenever is fine.