awilcox Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I would like to sign my name on the back of the headstock of my guitars. What is the best way to do this. I was thinking 3 or 4 coats of lacquer, sign my name with a marker, then finish my clearcoats. Is this correct and what type of marker should I use? The finish is nitrocellulose. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigM555 Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 I have a guitar signed by Steve Vai. When a friend and I had it done we did some research and the consensus was a paint marker, but that was on top of the paint/laquer. I've heard that you can apply laquer over signatures to preserve them so I'm not sure why it wouldn't work. You might just want to check your particular marker with your laquer first to make sure the laquer won't make the ink run before you put it on one of your fine instruments. BigM555 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 On my blue mongrel I signed one of the pickup cavities with a Sharpie on top of the paint and then cleared over it. Start with mist coats so it doesn't run, then once it's locked in proceed as usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedishLuthier Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Frank Ford has a good tutorial on finishing over a signature: http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Te...elebsigsig.html Me, I use the Melvyn Hiscock trick and, instead of a decal or similar, sign all of my guitars on the front of the headstock. I use ordinary markers, black, silver or gold. But I use waterbourne finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awilcox Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 Thanks for the help. After 4 clear coats I signed, dated and numbered the guitar with a sharpe (in the pick up cavity), then misted a light coat of nitro over it - then carried on with normal clear coats. it worked perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jozer99 Posted September 22, 2007 Report Share Posted September 22, 2007 Be really careful, the thinner in many lacquers also thins sharpie, so make sure you do REALLY light mist coats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarEng Posted September 24, 2007 Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 I use ebony...oh yeah...the CNC machine helps out a lot with this... -G. Eng Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.