MikeB Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I am re-finishing this RG550, so since I have been away for a long time I decided I would keep you posted with updates. The final colour will be a blue to black burst. This is the guitar as it was a couple of hours ago: There is a wee ding on the front which I repaired with Metalik, a car body filler. Its good stuff, IMO better than wood filler by a long shot. I then sanded to 600 grade paper. This took the belt rash our nicely. I used a bit of oak to act as a neck of sorts so that I have something to hold when its wet etc... common sense really. The red tape is just holding some foam over protruding screws - no slashed arteries today I use low tack masking tape to cover anything i dont want painted such as the foam in the trem cavity, the spring claw in the rear trem cavity, and between the false neck and the body. The problem with the low tack tape is just that. Low tack = pain in the ass, barely sticks to anything. At least it wont mark or damage. I am using Nitro sprays from Halfords. These have worked well for me in the past. I will post more when I have more. I have 1 coat of blue down, it is looking good. Cheers, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alloyguitar Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I always wanted to do a swirl finish on one of those...BUT the only RG series guitars I have are quite literally perfect, so maybe i'll do it on my explorer or something... ...alright, back on topic, what color blue are you looking at? I think a sapphire blue burst thing would look KILLER Great work man. -Devon Goodspeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slabbefusk Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 What trem is that? You sure its an RG550 or have you switched out the trem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 thanks guys, Ill post a pic of the blue, its moderately dark. I have 3 coats down. The guitar is an RG550R, the trem is an Lo-trs trem like you would find on a RG320 etc... Cheers Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horstausmforst Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 That's a japanese 470. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Im not up with the terminology, im a Jackson guy to be honest. Its looking well so far, tomorrow will see more blues going down, I will endeavour to post a pic. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I have a photo as of a few hours ago of the basic blue coat. Thats about 5 colour coats on, I have another one on drying as we speak. A note on spraying: Use a respirator, dont fart with cheapo masks. Your lungs are too important. Heat the cans in warm water so that they feel warm on your hand, make sure to shake very well. If you shake it and it feels cold again it means the paint inside isnt warmed up yet and needs more time. Heating the paint is THE most important tip I have ever learnt in terms of spraying. Jeremy I thank you - it is such a brilliant tip! I spray about 4-6" from the surface (i dont measure, im guessing here) and i spray at an angle, maybe 60 / 40 degrees, I find this helps the paint to evenly spread and not to leave lines. Many thin coats. Patience. I repeat. Patience. I cannot stress this enough. I have learnt the hard way, patience pays off. I sand inbetween every coat with blunt ish 1200 grade to take any pips of roughnesses off, I would say this is important. Cheers Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I am using Nitro sprays from Halfords. These have worked well for me in the past. Are you sure its nitro? Halfords here just sells acrylic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I was fairly confident it was, its certainly not Plasticote. I will never use that stuff again! Its he Halfords grey spray tin paint. I was almost sure it was Nitro perhaps I am wrong, but they work very well. They have a great gloss from them and the clear laquer is a great one. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slabbefusk Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I used Plasticote on my refinish and it worked like a charm. Heres some inspiration if you need it : http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=24377 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I have used it a couple of times and it has come out well, but one bad experience was enough to deter me, I cant be going through that again. Cheers, your project looks class by the way Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurits Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 I have used it a couple of times and it has come out well, but one bad experience was enough to deter me, I cant be going through that again. Cheers, your project looks class by the way Mike Are the wounds of your experience still fresh, or would you mind telling us what happened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 It was last year, I'm still recovering (hehe) Basically I used it as I usually did, but this time it wouldnt harden, It was very soft and I couldnt get a shine on it, it stuck to things, had to strip it completely back. This happened to a mate of mine - he was going to do a build from parts, painted the body, and the paint thing happened and he gave up right there. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurits Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Thats strange, how it works great a number of times and then fails you all at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 tell me about it! I might try it again... maybe.... on something completely rubbish and inexpensive. they do have rediculously bright colours which is cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 ts he Halfords grey spray tin paint. I was almost sure it was Nitro perhaps I am wrong, but they work very well. They have a great gloss from them and the clear laquer is a great one. Yeah thats the stuff. I was almost sure it was acrylic! Maybe it is nitro... If its the same stuff that I've used then keep your finished guitar well away from guitar stands with that rubber tubing stuff on them Mine reacted with the stand and it left these horrible melted browny/black bits on the boddy and neck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted September 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I got that once, but not with this stuff... I think Plasticote did this to me. I had a body done (for myself), laquered with that stuff, and I gave it 1 day to dry before assembling (totally not what I would do, but I was in a rush and didnt care what happened) - It was fine, left it on that stand, grand. Turns out assembling it soo soon did it no harm, but I will leave this one a week or so when I have the final coats on. Thanks for the heads up though. Right now there is one coat of clear on, unfortunately some dust got onto the top coat which is annoying since I spent soo long making sure it was dust free. Ill sand this down. This is a pic of it pre-clear coats. It looks lighter than it is because I sanded it, and the flash lightened it somewhat. Cheers, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullmuzzler Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 It's coming up nicely, but that's not RG550. Rg550 has pickguard, Edge trem and maple board... Keep up the good work! mullmuzzler | OSSMT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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