painting a pickguard

sp3k · Post by **sp3k** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 7:14 pm

everyone that sells pickguards on my country want to much money on my opinion. So how can i paint a white one? is it worth it?

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:47 am

Get some powdered bleach, sprinkle some on a sponge, wipe the shine off your pickguard. Then you can shoot some plastic-safe spraypaint onto it. Do a few coats, then seal it up with a clear coat (plastic-friendly) or two. Win.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:59 am

Or lightly sand it and spray is with something like Krylon Fusion, which is made for plastic.

If you are rough with your guitar and are concerned about the paint chipping off, put a coat of polyurethane clear over it. MinWax Polycrylic is nice and is very durable. In this case, it really doesn't matter what kind of paint is under it.

I am not sure if these products are available in Portugal or not, though.

James · Post by **James** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 6:17 am

How do you want to paint it? A solid colour?

sp3k · Post by **sp3k** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:22 pm

Thanks for the help, i'll see if they have any of those plastic paints on the big construction shops

James wrote:How do you want to paint it? A solid colour?

Yea, i was thinking some kind of brown

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:30 pm

fuck painting it. Put a picture on it.

sp3k · Post by **sp3k** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 6:07 pm

endsjustifymeans wrote:fuck painting it. Put a picture on it.

That actually sounds like a good idea! how did you do that?

The problem is i don't know what picture to put on it

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:12 pm

sp3k wrote:
endsjustifymeans wrote:fuck painting it. Put a picture on it.

That actually sounds like a good idea! how did you do that?

The problem is i don't know what picture to put on it

I sanded the pickguard slightly so it had a wee grit to it. Then I printed out the picture and trace cut it to approximate size. Then I sprayed a layer of automotive clearcoat as adhesive and stuck the picture to it. Then sprayed another layer of automotive clearcoat. Then when dry I trimmed the image with a razor so it fit the guard perfectly. Then I applied 2-3 more coats of clear, sanded polished and called it a day.

James · Post by **James** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:06 am

You can buy self-adhesive material from craft shops. The selection will obviously vary, but you might find something you like. It'll be cheaper than paint and you'll have spare to do a pedal, or another pickguard.