custom painted pickguard

Grillwrecka · February 25th, 2008, 07:02 PM

My girl is an artist, and I want to have her custom paint a pickguard for me. Anyone done this? She works mostly with oils, but I assume acrylic is the best choice for this venture. Any ideas on pickguarding the painted pickguard? A coating or possibly a clear pickguard on top of the painted one?

Tele295 · February 25th, 2008, 07:04 PM

Perhaps she can paint the scene on a VERY thin piece of cardboard or other stock, and then fit a clear pickguard over it. Dazbootman on ebay makes the best clear guards I've seen.

Dan German · February 25th, 2008, 07:30 PM

Or paint a clear pg from behind.....

Flat357 · February 25th, 2008, 07:37 PM

He he .... I see a guy preying to God that she paints one he likes , and the possibility of a difficult situation if he doesn't

milkshape · February 25th, 2008, 07:41 PM

I was surfing around one night and happened on the Creston site, teles with cool hand painted floral patters, I emailed the artist he mentioned and asked her what she used, she said acrylics and then Creston loads on lots of nitro. I would guess the acrylic won't react with a pick guard but I have zero experience with it.

Grillwrecka · February 25th, 2008, 08:18 PM

cool, thanks for the replies. the cardboard would save me from buying two pickguards, I would just worry about durability. Perhaps another material that is cheap yet durable. Were on to something here. Would I need an air sprayer for the nitro? (no experience with that) Thanks again!

TheDev01dOne · February 26th, 2008, 04:34 AM

I can think of a few ways to do it.. The easiest would be to just have her paint on paper or cardboard and then stick a clear pickguard over the top.

You could also do it the other way and glue the painting onto the top of a pickguard and then lacquer the crap out of it.

She could paint the actual top of the pickguard and then you can lacquer over it but the other 2 options would be easier.

cband7 · February 26th, 2008, 06:42 AM

There's a Krylon clear spray that artists have used for decades to protect paintings and other artwork. It's been used on all kinds of papers, canvas etc. and even over watercolors so it must be fairly non-hostile.

Ronkirn · February 26th, 2008, 07:59 AM

Sand the surface with 320.. paint the art..... allow to dry thoroughly... clearcoat with finish of choice, preferably one compatible with whatever the art was done with, wet sand and buff.....

follow this link to about page 4 that where I got to doing Rocky's Pickguard that had Juuuuuust a weee bit of art to it.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=182703

Ron Kirn

Grillwrecka · February 26th, 2008, 09:28 AM

My concern was that a clear coat wouldn't hold up since this will be a daily driver. How has that worked out for you? Dis you use a krylon clear coat? That "rocky" is pretty flippin cool by the way!

TELECASTERbstrd · February 26th, 2008, 10:29 AM

Just paint on something the right shape, an old pickguird?.. and cover it with a clear PG. Or cover it with new PG plastic. Or dont paint your PG.
Tons of options!

pengipete · February 26th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Could she paint it normally and then scan it into a PC. From there you could either print it to paper or overhead projector film.

You could also get it printed to decal paper in reverse and apply it directly to the underside of a clear plate.

If using this method you would need to overpaint any white areas or perhap think about having transparent areas as part of the design.

You don't need to risk the original art work and you could also have that framed to hang up at home as a bonus.

I once painted a friend's remote control car. It was a transparent opolycarbnate shell and he wanted a dragon painted on the inside of the shell. It is not an easy thing to do because you have to think entirely in reverse. Details which are normally painted last such as highlights in the eyes have to be painted first and you work backwards from there.

Be careful if using paints or even paper against your guitar as you risk damaging the finish. Even standard printing paper contains chemicals and acids that could react with your varnish. At best you risk the paint bleeding through.

Pete

ThreePlyGuy · February 26th, 2008, 12:40 PM

I did one when I was a kid useing a clear piece of thin plastic sort of like what came in new dress shirts at the time. I am fortunate to have always been handy at cartooning and art in general. I used art/sketch paper underneath and drew up several designs in various colors. Some time later I found a nice heavy stock of the plastic and kept the gaurd on the Strat for years!

spicolli · February 26th, 2008, 01:05 PM

i did one with clear transparancy film like you would write on/print on for an overhead projector then put a clear guard over it.

BillyG · February 26th, 2008, 01:54 PM

We all need to see samples of her art work. - Please.

pengipete · February 26th, 2008, 01:57 PM

+1. Would love to see some.

Ronkirn · February 26th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

My concern was that a clear coat wouldn't hold up

If you coat with catalyzed polyurethane, it will be virtually indestructible.

Ron Kirn

r0b99 · February 26th, 2008, 08:33 PM

Hello everyone,on the custom painted pickguard.A method that should work the best and easiest is to paint the back of a clear pickguard and then cover it with contact paper to protect it for removal.This should hold up with no issues.I've used it with lexan on my racing Kart(100cc yamaha) with 80+ mph tire rubs,dirt tracks and power washers.Should work pretty good !!!I hope that helps and good luck

February 25th, 2008, 07:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Grillwrecka TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 31	custom painted pickguard My girl is an artist, and I want to have her custom paint a pickguard for me. Anyone done this? She works mostly with oils, but I assume acrylic is the best choice for this venture. Any ideas on pickguarding the painted pickguard? A coating or possibly a clear pickguard on top of the painted one?

February 25th, 2008, 07:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tiger Town Posts: 3,153 14 Photos	Perhaps she can paint the scene on a VERY thin piece of cardboard or other stock, and then fit a clear pickguard over it. Dazbootman on ebay makes the best clear guards I've seen. __________________ "Turn it up and it doesn't need any reverb." - Danny Gatton www.dannygatton.info Tiger Town Aces - Music That Bites Back In Redd we trust! Free Bill Kirchen! If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

February 25th, 2008, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dan German Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rupertsland Age: 47 Posts: 547	Or paint a clear pg from behind..... __________________ Higgy

February 25th, 2008, 07:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
milkshape Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New England Posts: 296	I was surfing around one night and happened on the Creston site, teles with cool hand painted floral patters, I emailed the artist he mentioned and asked her what she used, she said acrylics and then Creston loads on lots of nitro. I would guess the acrylic won't react with a pick guard but I have zero experience with it. __________________ No hurries, No worries.

February 26th, 2008, 04:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheDev01dOne Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Staffordshire, England. Age: 20 Posts: 465	I can think of a few ways to do it.. The easiest would be to just have her paint on paper or cardboard and then stick a clear pickguard over the top. You could also do it the other way and glue the painting onto the top of a pickguard and then lacquer the crap out of it. She could paint the actual top of the pickguard and then you can lacquer over it but the other 2 options would be easier. __________________ '86 MIJ Esquire Squier Standard - Heavily Modded Bastardised '80(?)s Vester Esquire

February 25th, 2008, 07:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Flat357 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cheshire Age: 40 Posts: 2,455	He he .... I see a guy preying to God that she paints one he likes , and the possibility of a difficult situation if he doesn't

February 25th, 2008, 08:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Grillwrecka TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 31	cool, thanks for the replies. the cardboard would save me from buying two pickguards, I would just worry about durability. Perhaps another material that is cheap yet durable. Were on to something here. Would I need an air sprayer for the nitro? (no experience with that) Thanks again!

February 26th, 2008, 06:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
cband7 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kwajalein, Marshall Islands Age: 54 Posts: 180	There's a Krylon clear spray that artists have used for decades to protect paintings and other artwork. It's been used on all kinds of papers, canvas etc. and even over watercolors so it must be fairly non-hostile. __________________ "If I had only known, I would have been a locksmith." --Albert Einstein

February 26th, 2008, 07:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 61 Posts: 2,130	Sand the surface with 320.. paint the art..... allow to dry thoroughly... clearcoat with finish of choice, preferably one compatible with whatever the art was done with, wet sand and buff..... follow this link to about page 4 that where I got to doing Rocky's Pickguard that had Juuuuuust a weee bit of art to it. http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=182703 Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

February 26th, 2008, 09:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
Grillwrecka TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 31	My concern was that a clear coat wouldn't hold up since this will be a daily driver. How has that worked out for you? Dis you use a krylon clear coat? That "rocky" is pretty flippin cool by the way!

February 26th, 2008, 10:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
TELECASTERbstrd Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hill Country TEXAS Posts: 630	Just paint on something the right shape, an old pickguird?.. and cover it with a clear PG. Or cover it with new PG plastic. Or dont paint your PG. Tons of options! __________________ Howdy Y'all, most of my stuff pertains to country music. my MySpace Music Hill Country Horseworks

February 26th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
pengipete Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gloucester U.K. Age: 47 Posts: 908	Could she paint it normally and then scan it into a PC. From there you could either print it to paper or overhead projector film. You could also get it printed to decal paper in reverse and apply it directly to the underside of a clear plate. If using this method you would need to overpaint any white areas or perhap think about having transparent areas as part of the design. You don't need to risk the original art work and you could also have that framed to hang up at home as a bonus. I once painted a friend's remote control car. It was a transparent opolycarbnate shell and he wanted a dragon painted on the inside of the shell. It is not an easy thing to do because you have to think entirely in reverse. Details which are normally painted last such as highlights in the eyes have to be painted first and you work backwards from there. Be careful if using paints or even paper against your guitar as you risk damaging the finish. Even standard printing paper contains chemicals and acids that could react with your varnish. At best you risk the paint bleeding through. Pete

February 26th, 2008, 12:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
ThreePlyGuy Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern California/Arizona Age: 59 Posts: 313	I did one when I was a kid useing a clear piece of thin plastic sort of like what came in new dress shirts at the time. I am fortunate to have always been handy at cartooning and art in general. I used art/sketch paper underneath and drew up several designs in various colors. Some time later I found a nice heavy stock of the plastic and kept the gaurd on the Strat for years! __________________ Good luck with your projects!

February 26th, 2008, 01:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
spicolli Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 315 Age: 32 Posts: 332	i did one with clear transparancy film like you would write on/print on for an overhead projector then put a clear guard over it. __________________ Rock and roll around my head Fifty watts happening

February 26th, 2008, 01:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
BillyG Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Summerville, SC Age: 40 Posts: 428	We all need to see samples of her art work. - Please.

February 26th, 2008, 01:57 PM	#16 (permalink)
pengipete Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gloucester U.K. Age: 47 Posts: 908	+1. Would love to see some.

February 26th, 2008, 08:33 PM	#18 (permalink)
r0b99 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Springfield MA Posts: 1	Hello everyone,on the custom painted pickguard.A method that should work the best and easiest is to paint the back of a clear pickguard and then cover it with contact paper to protect it for removal.This should hold up with no issues.I've used it with lexan on my racing Kart(100cc yamaha) with 80+ mph tire rubs,dirt tracks and power washers.Should work pretty good !!!I hope that helps and good luck