Marcus Chen
The sunburst finish on a guitar is a type of finish that features graduating colour from the edge of the guitar to its centre. This finish was originally conceived to imitate an aged French polish finish, as seen on vintage violins. There are several ways to achieve a sunburst finish on a guitar, and the process can be relatively easy for someone new to guitar finishing. This introduction will guide you through the steps to achieve a sunburst finish on your guitar using aerosol cans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To imitate an aged French polish finish, as seen on vintage violins |
| Method | Relatively easy, suitable for beginners |
| Requirements | Guitar body, sandpaper, clear sanding sealer, aerosol cans, paint, lacquer, clear gloss finish, cardboard, masking tape, warm water |
| Steps | Sand the guitar body, apply sanding sealer, mask off the guitar body, hang the guitar, spray the edge coat, apply amber lacquer, apply tobacco lacquer, apply clear gloss finish |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the guitar body
To prepare the guitar body for a sunburst finish, you'll need to start with a smooth, clean surface. If your guitar has an existing finish, you'll need to remove it. Use a paint stripper or sander to get down to the bare wood. If you're working with an unfinished guitar body, ensure the wood is sanded smooth and free of any imperfections. Grain-fill if necessary and sand to 320 grit.
Once you have a smooth surface, apply a clear sanding sealer. This will provide a base for your sunburst finish and help achieve a consistent result. Spray 2-3 coats of the sealer, following the instructions on the product for proper application and drying time.
Now it's time to mask off the areas you don't want to be painted. Use painter's masking tape to cover the binding, keeping it nice and tight. If your guitar doesn't have binding, you can still use tape to mask off areas you want to protect, such as the neck and headstock. If you're spraying the back of the guitar, mask off the front and vice versa.
Before you start spraying, rig up a simple holder to make the process easier. You can find instructions for this in the Guitar Finishing Step-by-Step book mentioned in the sources. Place the guitar on a solid workbench, face-up. If possible, hang the guitar to make spraying the back and sides easier.
With your guitar prepared and securely positioned, you're now ready to begin spraying your sunburst finish.
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Mask off the guitar body
Masking off the guitar body is an important step in achieving a sunburst finish. This process involves covering parts of the guitar that you do not want to be painted. It helps create clean lines and prevents overspray.
If your guitar has edge binding, such as a Les Paul, use painter's masking tape to cover it tightly. Painter's masking tape is commonly used in the automotive industry for pinstriping and is ideal for this application. When masking the face of the guitar, ensure the cardboard mask sits about 1/2 inch above the face, so the edge coat will feather in nicely. You can use matchsticks or fold some wedges from cardboard to achieve this.
If you want to blacken the sides without getting overspray on the front or back, use a brown paper mask. Small pieces of double-stick tape can hold the kraft paper in place, with the edges loose to avoid interfering with the feathering to the edge of the black spray.
For the first layer of colour, mask off the top and the "faux binding" of the guitar, then spray the back. Once dry, carefully scrape the edge of the binding with a sharp blade to create a clean line. This process is similar to that of a gold top body.
When applying the second colour, ensure the first sunburst colour shows around the entire guitar. Spray tight to the edges, being careful not to spray too heavily. You want a blending effect without hard edges.
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Apply the base coat
Applying a sunburst finish to your guitar can be a fun and rewarding project. Here is a detailed guide on how to apply the base coat for that perfect sunburst finish:
Prepare the Guitar Body: Start by ensuring your guitar body is ready for finishing. This includes grain-filling if needed and sanding the surface to create a smooth base. The recommended sanding grit level is around 320, which will provide a fine finish. It is important to sand in the direction of the grain and work towards achieving a uniform surface.
Mask Off Areas: Before applying the base coat, you need to protect the areas you don't want to be painted. Use painter's masking tape to cover the binding and any other parts you want to keep free from paint. If your guitar has edge binding, like a Les Paul, ensure the tape is tight to the edge. You can also use cardboard or paper masks to protect the front and back of the guitar from overspray.
Choose Your Base Colour: The base colour for a sunburst finish is typically a deep yellow or amber shade. You can mix your own colour by using an alcohol-soluble yellow aniline dye powder dissolved in isopropyl alcohol with a dash of acetone. This mixture is then added to a clear lacquer. Alternatively, you can use a ready-made colour like Clear Amber.
Spraying Technique: With your guitar face-up on a solid workbench, begin spraying the base coat. Angle your aerosol or spray gun at a 45-degree angle, and spray from the inside out. Start from the centre of the guitar and work towards the edge. This technique gives you better control over the colour application and helps prevent overspray in the centre.
Build Up the Colour Gradually: It is important to spray a little at a time and build up the colour gradually. Spraying too heavily in one go can create runs and make the process more difficult. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next, and remember that the drying and colour depth can vary with lacquer, so take your time to achieve the desired result.
Let the Base Coat Dry: Once you have achieved the desired colour depth and coverage, it is crucial to let the base coat dry thoroughly. Leave it for several hours, and ideally, let it harden overnight. This step ensures that your base coat is ready for the next steps in creating the sunburst finish.
Remember, these are general guidelines, and you can always adapt and experiment as you gain experience. With patience and practice, you'll be able to create a beautiful sunburst finish on your guitar.
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Spray the sunburst colours
Spraying the sunburst colours is a delicate process that requires patience and practice. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Preparation:
Before you begin spraying, ensure your guitar body is prepped for finishing. This includes filling the grain, if necessary, and sanding the surface to create a smooth base. It is recommended to sand up to 320 grit and apply 2-3 coats of clear sanding sealer. Additionally, consider practising your spraying technique on scrap wood or cardboard to get a feel for the process.
Masking:
Use painter's masking tape to cover the areas of the guitar that you want to protect from spray paint. This includes the sides of the guitar and any binding or "faux binding." You can also use cardboard or paper masks to protect the front and back of the guitar from overspray. Ensure that the edges of your masks are loose to allow for a nice feathering effect.
Spraying Technique:
When spraying the sunburst colours, it is recommended to work in layers and build up the colour gradually. Start by spraying the outside edge of the guitar, using a round spray pattern if possible. Angle your aerosol at a 45-degree angle, pointing it from the inside out. Ensure that only half of the spray pattern is on the body, bringing the spray inward gradually to achieve a smooth blend. Work in multiple passes to create a dark outer edge that fades into a reddish transition. Remember to spray lightly and avoid applying too much colour too quickly to prevent unsightly runs.
Drying and Additional Coats:
After spraying, allow the colour to dry for a few minutes before continuing. You can then decide if you want to add additional coats to build up the colour intensity. Remember to let each coat dry before applying the next. Once you are happy with the colour, finish it off with a clear gloss lacquer.
Tips:
- Keep your spray packs in warm water before using to prevent clogging and running.
- Hang your guitar before spraying to make it easier to spray the back and sides.
- Practice your spraying technique and experiment with different angles and distances to achieve the desired effect.
- Mix your own colours if necessary to achieve the exact look you want.
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Finish with a clear gloss lacquer
Once you have achieved the desired sunburst effect on your guitar, it is time to finish with a clear gloss lacquer. This step is important as it will protect the paint job and give the guitar a glossy shine.
Firstly, ensure that the guitar body has been prepped for finishing. This includes filling in any grains and sanding the body down to 320 grit. You can also apply 2-3 coats of clear sanding sealer at this stage. If your guitar has edge binding, use painter's masking tape to cover it. This will protect the binding from getting sprayed.
Next, set up your guitar on a solid workbench, face up. You can also hang the guitar to make it easier to spray the back and sides. Prepare your clear gloss lacquer. This can be purchased as an aerosol or in tins or bottles, which you can then transfer to a spray gun. Ensure that you are wearing the appropriate protective gear, including a respirator, eye protection, and gloves.
When you are ready to spray, hold the nozzle at a 45-degree angle, coming in from the edges. Spray lightly and in even arm movements to ensure an even coverage. It is important to spray a little at a time and build up the coats gradually to avoid unsightly runs. You will need to apply multiple coats, allowing each coat to dry for a few minutes in between.
Finally, once you have applied all the coats, let the lacquer dry thoroughly. Lacquer dries quickly, but it will continue to harden over time. It is recommended to wait at least 3 days before reassembling the guitar. You can then buff the guitar to finish off the job.
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Frequently asked questions
A sunburst finish features graduating colour from the edge of the guitar to the centre. It was originally conceived to imitate an aged French polish finish, as seen on vintage violins.
Here is a basic step-by-step guide to painting a sunburst finish on a guitar:
- Prepare the guitar body by filling the grain, if necessary, and sanding it to 320 grit.
- Spray the guitar body with 2-3 coats of clear sanding sealer.
- Mask off the areas you don't want to paint, such as the binding, using painter's masking tape or cardboard.
- Hang the guitar or place it on a solid workbench, face-up.
- Spray the outer edge of the guitar with your chosen colour, such as tobacco brown or amber lacquer. Spray from the inside out at a 45-degree angle, gradually bringing the spray inward to create a blend.
- Apply the second colour, such as black, tight to the edges, ensuring the first colour shows around the entire guitar. Avoid spraying too heavily to create a blending effect.
- Let the paint dry thoroughly, preferably overnight.
- Finish with several coats of clear gloss lacquer.
Here are some tips to help you achieve a high-quality sunburst finish:
- Practice on scrap wood or cardboard before spraying the guitar to get a feel for the technique.
- Keep your spray packs in warm water before using to prevent clogging and running.
- Mix your own colours to achieve the exact look you want.
- Spray a little at a time and build up the colour gradually to avoid applying too much paint at once.
- Use multiple passes to create a dark outer edge that fades into a reddish transition from the brown overspray.
- After spraying, buff the guitar to finish off the job.
