Yes, You can paint your guitar by using acrylic paints. But it requires some extra attention. To paint the guitar, you need to mix the acrylic with wood filler and apply it to the neck and body of the guitar gently. It is also used to fill the holes.
It is necessary to prepare the guitar by sanding it properly, the paint will be peeled off. In this article, we’ll discuss the amazing facts and tell you the method how to prepare and how to paint your guitar to get proper finishing.
How easy is it to paint a guitar?
Paint a Guitar is just like applying paint on furniture. It means it is not as difficult as you think. You just have to use the right paint to get the proper finishing and long-lasting shine.
If you customize your Guitar, you need to be patient because it requires a lot of time and this process can take some weeks. Keep in mind that a huge amount of effort is needed to get the proper finishing and adorable results.
How to Prepare Your Guitar for Acrylic Painting?
Before painting, You need to prepare the surface for it. This process takes some steps which are described below:
STEP 1: You need to remove the guitar strings. screwdriver is needed to do this. You have to cut or remove the string wires carefully, as they can be attached after painting.
STEP 2: If you want to get more finishing, you need to remove the old paint. Sanding is the method that is used to prepare the surface for primer. It means reaching the surface at the initial stage of painting.
STEP 3: If the holes appear on the body, you need to fill them with filler.
STEP 4: Now, clean the surface properly, there is no particle seen on the surface.
STEP 5: Must ensure all the guidelines meet the requirements of painting, hence you get the best finishing.
How to Paint Your Guitar with Acrylics?
Just follow the steps, to get the best results.
- Firstly, you need to prepare the surface for painting. The preparation process is described above.
- Sanding a guitar is the most important step. At this stage, you need to clear all the particles including old paint.
- Now, apply the primer, to get a smooth surface for painting. Try to use the primer which is specially designed for metal surfaces.
- It’s your turn to show your creativity. Draw a random design of your choice. Don’t spend more time on this.
- After drawing a design, you start painting a design. You can use spray paint or paint brush, whatever you want.
- When the paint dries, apply a layer of wood sealer. It will prevent the guitar paint from peeling or cracking.
Does Painting A Guitar Affect Its Sound?
Yes, painting affects the sound at a minor stage. It is said that paint is quite heavier material when it is dry or wet. The layer of paint is soft after drying, which disturbs the sounds.
If many layers are applied without any guidelines, the paint should absorb its sound, hence paint can be the reason to deaden the sound of the guitar.
How many coats of paint does it take to put on a guitar?
It is not clearly described because it depends upon various factors. Such as the type of paint you used and the one you used for painting.
Generally, Nitrocellulose requires 6 to 12 coats to get proper finishing. If you want to get a gloss finish you need to apply at least 6 coats.
The number of coats also depends upon the sanding process and how many thick layers you want. So, painting a guitar is quite a tricky task.
What is the best finish for a painted guitar?
To get the proper finishing, it is important to choose the right material. To get the gloss finish, polyurethane or polyester-based finishes are used.
This material will help to increase the lifespan of the guitar. And the finish material is designed to adjust to the extreme weather conditions. These finishers will give an aesthetic look to your guitar.
Can I use acrylic paint directly on wood?
Yes, you can apply acrylic paint directly on wood. You can apply the acrylic paint both on treated on untreated wood. Treated wood is flat and quite smoother than untreated wood. Flat and smooth surfaces may affect the paint adhesion.
So, It is recommended that so should lightly sand the surface and then apply primer. It will ensure the proper adhesion of paint.
Can you just spray-paint a guitar?
Yes, you can just spray paint on the guitar. However, the method is quite tricky and needs more expertise. Firstly, ensure that the surface is plane and sanded properly.
If you want to paint a specific area or a guitar, the rest of the surface must be covered with paper or tape, to prevent it from spray drops.
The temperature at which you can use spray paint is between 20-25 degrees. It is important to protect the spray paint from direct sunlight.
What paint do modern guitars use?
With time, users customize the guitar according to their choices and demands. But, if you visit the guitar shop and pick a random guitar, you will see polyurethane, also termed pooly.
It is like a plastic coat on the surface and gives a glossy look to the guitar. It was famous in 1950s models.
Final Thoughts:
To sum up all the data it is concluded that acrylic paints can be used on the guitars. Many users paint their guitars with acrylic and get an aesthetic look.
You can apply the paint with a paintbrush as well as with spray. You must have proper knowledge before taking any step.
To paint a guitar it is important to remove its wires properly without damaging or sanding the surface properly to the glossing look or great adhesion.
FAQs
1. Do you need primer to paint a guitar?
Before starting a paint, It is a good step to apply a primer. It helps fill the flaws and makes the surface more smooth.
2. Can you paint a guitar with nail polish?
Yes, you can use nail polish on your guitar but as a primer sealer, because once it dries, it makes a strong layer over it and creates a smooth path to apply paint over it.
3. Can You Use Acrylic Paint on an Acoustic Guitar?
Yes, you can apply. But it is very important to apply wood primer before starting to paint. A hard layer of paint on the surface will affect the sound.
4. Can You Use Acrylic Paint on an Electric Guitar?
You can apply acrylic paint on an electric guitar. It gives a glossy look to the guitar. You just need to sand the surface, remove the wires, and apply the primer to get a proper finish.
