Pickguard Project Thread
- Thread starter obzervr
- Start date
obzervr
New member
Hi guys,
For starters, try visit www.projectguitar.com for some tutorials on dismantling basics.
As for the paint, I use rosewood wood stain on a plain white pickguard hand painted with 3 different artist paintbrush. Once I achieved the desired effect, I allow it to dry for 48hours. Give a first very thin coat of yellow tinted lacquer. Allow to dry for 24 hrs. Then wet sand using 200 grit sandpaper. Followed by 3 coats of maroon tinted lacquer with at least 12 hours of drying and wet sanding between coats. Top up with two coats of clear lacquer. So the red portion that you see is actually the maroon tinted lacquer effect on the white background that is un touched by the rosewood stain.
As for cutting the pickguard, 1) choose your material, 2) use another pickguard as a template, 3) use a rotary tool with spiral saw to cut about 1mm from the actual outline, 4) use a rotary tool with a sanding bit to sand off the edges to shape (alternatively use a sanding block - this is better as with the rotary tool, I had to clamp the pickguard very tightly so as to avoid excessive vibration and breakage.
Alternative is of course to use sticker papers that are on sale at aquarium shops and some hardware shops. With sticker paper, always have a squeegie with you so that when you apply them, no trapped air that will cause bubbles. Once done, you may want to give 2-3 coats of lacquer for durability. The good thing about using sticker papers, you can get rid of it once in a while for newer designs.
For starters, try visit www.projectguitar.com for some tutorials on dismantling basics.
As for the paint, I use rosewood wood stain on a plain white pickguard hand painted with 3 different artist paintbrush. Once I achieved the desired effect, I allow it to dry for 48hours. Give a first very thin coat of yellow tinted lacquer. Allow to dry for 24 hrs. Then wet sand using 200 grit sandpaper. Followed by 3 coats of maroon tinted lacquer with at least 12 hours of drying and wet sanding between coats. Top up with two coats of clear lacquer. So the red portion that you see is actually the maroon tinted lacquer effect on the white background that is un touched by the rosewood stain.
As for cutting the pickguard, 1) choose your material, 2) use another pickguard as a template, 3) use a rotary tool with spiral saw to cut about 1mm from the actual outline, 4) use a rotary tool with a sanding bit to sand off the edges to shape (alternatively use a sanding block - this is better as with the rotary tool, I had to clamp the pickguard very tightly so as to avoid excessive vibration and breakage.
Alternative is of course to use sticker papers that are on sale at aquarium shops and some hardware shops. With sticker paper, always have a squeegie with you so that when you apply them, no trapped air that will cause bubbles. Once done, you may want to give 2-3 coats of lacquer for durability. The good thing about using sticker papers, you can get rid of it once in a while for newer designs.
imkeith
Banned
oh dam the tools arent hard to get but as for the clamp ... this is a problem
is the tension while sawing that great?sigh erm as for the lacquer, can i get those from art friend too ?
btw im not very familiar with all this crafting items ,errm do lacquers all have glossy finish or do they have malt finishes too? and errm are lacquers available at art friend? otherwise where can i get'em?and what are the cost for a bottle of it
haha sorry for asking so much in one post, im really excited in making a pickguard myself haha
ohoh also any tips while making em?
thanks loads
is the tension while sawing that great?sigh erm as for the lacquer, can i get those from art friend too ?
btw im not very familiar with all this crafting items ,errm do lacquers all have glossy finish or do they have malt finishes too? and errm are lacquers available at art friend? otherwise where can i get'em?and what are the cost for a bottle of it
haha sorry for asking so much in one post, im really excited in making a pickguard myself haha
ohoh also any tips while making em?
thanks loads
obzervr
New member
A simpler way (but slower) is to use a coping saw. Clamps aren't hard to find. I use standard F clamps. The key to it is patience. Best for you to start the easy work first (get the materials and cut out to shape and finish the sides nice and smooth) before the difficult work (the finishing - for me at least because I had a nasty bad habit that can ruin a 95% good finish... touching up before the lacquer is properly dried and cured... it is very tempting but once you see the smudges, it'll haunt you so bad that you'll want to strip the finish clean and start over).
The lacquer I bought at hardware stores selling wood finishes. Sungei Road area... haha.. but don't ask me which shop specifically because I don't pay attention to the shop and shops there looks alike.
The lacquer I bought at hardware stores selling wood finishes. Sungei Road area... haha.. but don't ask me which shop specifically because I don't pay attention to the shop and shops there looks alike.
imkeith
Banned
Erm any kinda lacquer's fine? or any specific type to look out for?
hmm ok hardware shop, and erm so after a colour with coloured lacquer ? when it dries i still gotta coat another layer of lacquer ?
btw how much does a the lacquer for coating + lets say a single color lacquer cost?
btw i was wondering if lacquer is used for pickguard how bout the on the body? i hear that ppl actually have to go through the trouble of sanding the first coat of paint to actually do it again?
hmm ok hardware shop, and erm so after a colour with coloured lacquer ? when it dries i still gotta coat another layer of lacquer ?
btw how much does a the lacquer for coating + lets say a single color lacquer cost?
btw i was wondering if lacquer is used for pickguard how bout the on the body? i hear that ppl actually have to go through the trouble of sanding the first coat of paint to actually do it again?
obzervr
New member
I've no preference in terms of the brand but I always change the spray tip/knob (or whatever you call the thing you press on) to an old piece that I've trusted as I had bad experiences with spray cans that have nozzles that gives out inconsistent spray mist.
Cost wise maybe $7-8 per can minus workmanship cost (variable... if you decide to get someone to do it for you). Between coats, it is WET sanding - google or watch on you tube... difficult to elaborate here. just have a go and have fun...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvoygmAQBPs&feature=related some ideas
Cost wise maybe $7-8 per can minus workmanship cost (variable... if you decide to get someone to do it for you). Between coats, it is WET sanding - google or watch on you tube... difficult to elaborate here. just have a go and have fun...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvoygmAQBPs&feature=related some ideas
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imkeith
Banned
im really starting to doubt if i can acheive the colour i want
http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f18/rg350-pickguard-change-62072.html
first pic, or are there any places that sell layered acrylic dam can seem to find any even art friend doesnt have the layered ones.
btw since i dont have a rotary machine , is it possible to make a 45degree slants at the edge of the pickguard like how most pickguard slants in with purely sand paper?
http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f18/rg350-pickguard-change-62072.html
first pic, or are there any places that sell layered acrylic dam can seem to find any even art friend doesnt have the layered ones.
btw since i dont have a rotary machine , is it possible to make a 45degree slants at the edge of the pickguard like how most pickguard slants in with purely sand paper?
obzervr
New member
Hi All,
Here is a recent trial-experiment I did with some dyes. Hand painted using brushes and sponge. This one was originally a scratched up black pickguard. I've painted it to look like it is a piece of iron sheet has rusted and has algae forming.
And... through some 'secret' formula... when the light goes out...
it glows!! (charged using a flashlight for one minute thus the uneven glow).
Thanks for viewing... and you can do it too (just try develop some of your own secret formula), yup... it is a 'secret formula'... so... I won't be telling. I've promised my guru!
Here is a recent trial-experiment I did with some dyes. Hand painted using brushes and sponge. This one was originally a scratched up black pickguard. I've painted it to look like it is a piece of iron sheet has rusted and has algae forming.
And... through some 'secret' formula... when the light goes out...
it glows!! (charged using a flashlight for one minute thus the uneven glow).
Thanks for viewing... and you can do it too (just try develop some of your own secret formula), yup... it is a 'secret formula'... so... I won't be telling. I've promised my guru!
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fgl
Well-known member
Thanks for viewing... and you can do it too (just try develop some of your own secret formula), yup... it is a 'secret formula'... so... I won't be telling. I've promised my guru!
wahhhhhhhhhh who'se your guru man?
eclipze
New member
Hi All,
Here is a recent trial-experiment I did with some dyes. Hand painted using brushes and sponge. This one was originally a scratched up black pickguard. I've painted it to look like it is a piece of iron sheet has rusted and has algae forming.
And... through some 'secret' formula... when the light goes out...
it glows!! (charged using a flashlight for one minute thus the uneven glow).
Thanks for viewing... and you can do it too (just try develop some of your own secret formula), yup... it is a 'secret formula'... so... I won't be telling. I've promised my guru!
nice man !!! i love it
obzervr
New member
Eclipze, Thanks Man! I'm still experimenting. I've yet to be able to achieve what you did with your custom job.
for the Glow in The Dark Pickguard, I'm yet to achieve desired results (unrealistic expectation though)... and fgl, I've promised not to disclose my guru too ...
hopefully there will be more players in this pickguard project thread... it doesn't take much to brew a personality in your guitar...
for the Glow in The Dark Pickguard, I'm yet to achieve desired results (unrealistic expectation though)... and fgl, I've promised not to disclose my guru too ...
hopefully there will be more players in this pickguard project thread... it doesn't take much to brew a personality in your guitar...
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fgl
Well-known member
Observr - hope my stuff helps in your pursuits.
Just in case u r wondering - the klear so called floor polish i passed u is widely used in aeromodeling circles for various uses - almost like a miracle liquid. It can be hand paintted on too (adequate drying time) or sprayed on. 1 or 2 coats acts as satin primer while 3 -4 coats brings out a nice glossy shine.
Cleans up easily with water & even smells nice too ...
I had 2 full bottles hence why i passed u one. Try adding it to you glow pkguard for a more pronounced effect?
Just in case u r wondering - the klear so called floor polish i passed u is widely used in aeromodeling circles for various uses - almost like a miracle liquid. It can be hand paintted on too (adequate drying time) or sprayed on. 1 or 2 coats acts as satin primer while 3 -4 coats brings out a nice glossy shine.
Cleans up easily with water & even smells nice too ...
I had 2 full bottles hence why i passed u one. Try adding it to you glow pkguard for a more pronounced effect?
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fgl
Well-known member
Share wt u guys some things I did for my last guitar project.
These covers were cut from solid ebony. To add pizzaz I overlayed real abalone "abalam" on the top of the pieces ala some of Fender custom shop pieces ...
Hopeu enjoy ..
electronics cover
fully shielded with aluminium tape
tremolo cavity cover
TREMOLO COVER REVERSE SHOT - STILL IN THE PROCESS OF FINAL CLEANING AND POLSIH THE BACK PORTION.
These covers were cut from solid ebony. To add pizzaz I overlayed real abalone "abalam" on the top of the pieces ala some of Fender custom shop pieces ...
Hopeu enjoy ..
electronics cover
fully shielded with aluminium tape
tremolo cavity cover
TREMOLO COVER REVERSE SHOT - STILL IN THE PROCESS OF FINAL CLEANING AND POLSIH THE BACK PORTION.
