Isabella Flores
Painting a guitar with a sunburst finish is an achievable task, even for those new to guitar finishing. The sunburst finish was originally conceived to imitate an aged French polish finish, as seen on vintage violins. The process involves stripping and refinishing the guitar, and it can be done without specialist equipment. It is important to practice on scrap wood or another guitar before attempting to spray your own guitar. The process requires a lot of patience and practice, but the end result can be a beautiful sunburst finish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sanding | Use a lighter gauge sandpaper each time to remove marks from the previous gauge. Move to a buffer or polishing cloth for a glossy look. |
| Spraying | Keep even arm movements and spray quickly. This will take multiple coats, so don't apply too thickly. Hold the can further from the body for a wider spray. |
| Colours | Many burst finishes use three colours. Start with the lightest colour and work towards the darkest. |
| Lacquer | Store in an airtight container. Spray a little at a time and build up gradually. |
| Practice | Try the burst on something other than your guitar first, such as scrap wood. |
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What You'll Learn
Sanding the guitar body
Start by preparing the guitar body for sanding. If your guitar already has a finish, you will need to strip it down and sand it to a smooth surface. Use a grit sandpaper that is suitable for the type of wood your guitar is made of. Sand with the grain of the wood to avoid creating streaks. You can start with a higher grit, such as 240 or 320, and work your way up to a finer grit for a smoother finish. Ensure that you sand evenly across the body, paying extra attention to any areas with imperfections or unevenness.
Once you have achieved a smooth base, you can move on to the next step of sanding. After applying the initial coats of paint or dye, you will need to lightly sand the guitar body again. Use a lighter gauge sandpaper, such as 400 grit, for this step. The goal is to gently sand out any areas that you are not happy with, such as uneven colour or overspray. Remember to always sand in the direction of the grain and work lightly to avoid damaging the underlying layers.
After sanding with the 400-grit sandpaper, you can progress to an even finer grit, such as 800 or 2000. This step will help you achieve an even smoother and glossier finish. Continue to sand in the direction of the wood grain, and take your time to ensure that you do not damage the previous layers. It is important to dry the guitar body for as long as possible between each layer of sanding to ensure that the finish is thoroughly dried before moving on.
Finally, you can move on to wet and dry sanding. This step is optional but can help you achieve an even more polished look. Submerge your sandpaper in water for an hour before using it. You can then use light steel wool or move directly to a buffer or polishing cloth. Keep buffing or hand-polishing until you achieve the desired level of gloss and smoothness.
Remember, it is always a good idea to practice your sanding technique on a scrap piece of wood or an area of the guitar that is not visible before starting on the main body. Take your time and work in light, even passes to avoid over-sanding or creating uneven surfaces.
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Applying a base colour
First, prepare the guitar body by sanding it. Use grit sandpaper ranging from 240 to 400 and sand in the direction of the wood grain. This step ensures that the surface is smooth and ready for the base colour application. Take your time with this step, as a well-sanded surface will make a significant difference in the final result.
Next, choose your desired base colour. Traditionally, a sunburst finish involves starting with a light colour as the base. Common choices include yellow or a light shade of orange. You can use concentrated dye or paint for this step, ensuring it is suitable for use on wooden surfaces. Apply the base colour evenly across the entire guitar body, following the manufacturer's instructions for the specific product you are using.
After applying the base colour, let it dry thoroughly. Depending on the product you are using, you might need to wait for a certain amount of time, such as 12 hours or more. Refer to the instructions on your chosen product to determine the appropriate drying time.
Once the base colour is dry, you can assess the result. If necessary, lightly sand any areas that require touch-ups. Use a finer grit sandpaper for this step, such as 400-grit, to avoid damaging the base colour layer. Sanding between coats helps create a smooth surface for the subsequent layers of paint or lacquer.
Finally, decide if you want to apply a clear coat over the base colour. This step is optional but can provide added protection and a smoother finish. Choose a clear lacquer or sealant suitable for wooden surfaces and apply it evenly over the base colour. Again, allow the clear coat to dry completely before proceeding to the next step of your sunburst finish.
Remember, take your time with each step, practice if necessary, and always work in a well-ventilated area when dealing with paints, dyes, and lacquers.
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Spraying the lacquer
When you are ready to spray, remember to keep even arm movements and spray quite quickly. This process will take several coats, so do not apply the lacquer too thickly. Instead, build up your colour layer by layer. Hold the can at a distance from the guitar to achieve a nice blend of colour. If you are using a spray gun and compressor, ensure that you keep the gun moving to avoid putting down too much colour in one area.
Once you have finished spraying, allow the guitar to dry. Then, lightly sand out any areas that you are unhappy with. Remember that you can sand the black lightly without being overly concerned, as you applied a sealer over the base coat.
Finally, apply a couple of layers of a new clear coat. Sand this with 2000-grit sandpaper to get rid of the orange peely surface and then buff it out with car polish.
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Sanding and polishing
Start by preparing the guitar body for sanding. If there is an existing finish, you may need to strip it down using a suitable method, such as Nitromors. Once the surface is ready, begin sanding with a finer grit sandpaper. It is recommended to start with 240 or 320 grit sandpaper and work your way up to a finer grit like 400. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid creating streaks on the guitar body.
After sanding, apply a sealer or a base coat. This step is important as it helps create a smooth surface for the sunburst colours to be sprayed on. Once the sealer is dry, you can start spraying the sunburst colours, typically starting with the lightest colour first. Build up the colours gradually, layer by layer, to achieve the desired depth and shade. Remember to spray a little at a time and maintain even arm movements while spraying.
Once you have achieved the desired sunburst effect, let the guitar body dry thoroughly. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the finish is completely set before sanding and polishing. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions or product specifications for the recommended drying time.
Now it's time for sanding again. Start with a finer grit sandpaper, such as 800 grit, to smooth out any imperfections and create an even surface. Remember to sand lightly and always in the direction of the wood grain. The goal is to soften the sandpaper stripes without sanding through to the colour layer.
Finally, polishing can bring out the glossy look of your sunburst finish. You can use a buffer or polishing cloth to buff or hand polish the guitar body. If desired, you can also use light steel wool before moving on to the buffer. Keep buffing until you are happy with the finished look.
Remember, it is always a good idea to practice your sanding and polishing techniques on a scrap piece of wood or an object other than your guitar first. This will help you perfect your technique and avoid any mistakes on the actual guitar body.
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Sealing the finish
Sanding and Prepping the Guitar Surface
Start by lightly sanding the guitar's surface with fine-grit sandpaper, such as 2000 grit sandpaper. This step helps create a smooth base for the new finish. Remove any marks or imperfections from the previous layer of paint or clear coat. Use a lighter gauge of sandpaper with each pass, gradually working your way up to a buffer or polishing cloth to achieve a glossy finish. Remember to sand gently to avoid damaging the guitar's body.
Applying the Sealer Coats
Once you're satisfied with the smoothness of the surface, apply a couple of sealer coats. These coats will help create a flat and even surface for the subsequent colour layers. Sand the sealer coats lightly to ensure the surface is perfectly level. This step is crucial in achieving a seamless sunburst finish.
Spraying the Lacquer
After the sealer coats have dried, it's time to spray the lacquer. Choose a lacquer colour that complements the sunburst design, such as dark lacquer or black. Spray the lacquer in thin layers, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. This gradual build-up of colour ensures a smooth transition and helps you achieve the desired shade. Remember to mask the guitar body and fretboard to protect the areas you don't want to spray.
Final Sanding and Polishing
Once the final coat of lacquer has dried, you can lightly sand any areas that require touch-ups. Use fine-grit sandpaper, such as 400 grit, to gently remove any imperfections or unwanted overspray. After sanding, apply a gloss finish to enhance the shine and protect the paint job. You can use car polish or a similar product to buff out the finish to a high gloss.
Remember, practice and patience are key when sealing the finish on your sunburst guitar. Take your time with each step, and don't be afraid to start over if needed. With a careful approach, you'll be able to achieve a stunning sunburst finish that you can be proud of.
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Frequently asked questions
The sunburst finish is a type of finish that features graduating colours from the edge of the guitar. It was originally conceived to imitate an aged French polish finish, as seen on vintage violins.
You will need sandpaper, spray paint, clear coat, lacquer, a spray gun, and a compressor. You may also need an airbrush and a tin of airbrush propellant.
First, sand the guitar body with grit paper. Then, apply a base coat of paint. Once that is dry, apply the sunburst pattern using light passes around the top edge and then the back to create a nice black band around the outside edge. Finally, apply a clear coat and let it dry.
Hold the spray can at a distance from the guitar and use even arm movements to spray quickly. This will create a nice feathered edge. You can also try using a spray gun and compressor for a more precise application.
Practice on a separate piece of wood or guitar body before attempting to paint your guitar. Start with light coats of paint and build up the colour gradually. Be patient and avoid laying down too much colour too quickly, as this can cause runs and badly shaped spray lines.
