How to paint a pickguard

[bt99]

I want to bye a black Fender Jaguar bass, but the I want to paint the pickguard GREEN. What kind of paint should I use and what should I do to keep the paint on it.

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[bassteban]

I doubt you could get a refin to stay looking good on a PG unless you get a clear one & paint the backside.

[msiner]

I have not done this, but here are the two things I remember seeing about this topic:
1) Use paint made for plastic, I think this is just the Krylon Fusion rattle-can
2) Sand or scuff the surface to get it dull or else the paint won't stick well to the typically slick pickguard face

[Bassamatic]

Agree - Paint does not stick well to plastic. You could put several clear coats on afterwards, but this will only delay the flaking.

[Pilgrim]

And while you're at it, order a replacement PG for when the paint starts to come off and it looks ugly...

Chances for long-term success are somewhat limited. You might check out custom pickguards.

[lavmonga]

It's going to cost you 10 bucks for a can of spray paint and something to scuff sand with, just buy a new PG for $30 and sell your old one for $15.

Here is an ebay store with Jaguar Bass pickguards, see if they can make you a green one.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Jeannie-...&submit=Search

[Pilgrim]

lavmonga found you a good vendor - I know of them from two or three forums. I second his motion to have them make you a PG.

[Hilton Marsh]

Have painted 20 or so over the years. You need a plastic primer (Auto Paint Store), Clear coat and the colour coat. Preferably all the same brand (so there is no reaction).
Scuff the pickguard with 400 wet n dry (dry).
Three dust coats of primer. Let it dry.
Remove dust, hair, donut sprinkles (whatever) off surface. Try using adhesive side of sticky tape or a soft cloth.
Two solid coats of plastic primer. One vertical, let it dry. One horizontal, let it dry.
Leave it alone for three days. Don't touch it!
Sand smooth with 600 wet n dry (dry).
Three to five light coats of green colour. Let it dry. Do not sand between coats but remove hair, lint, ants, grandma's zipper (whatever) inbetween coats.
Let it dry for three days. Don't touch it!
Spray four dust coats of clear, removing debris as you go along. and letting it dry between coats.
Finally give it 10 coats of clear.
Let it dry for three days again.
Now give the clear coats a light rub with wet n dry (wet, well moist). Start with 800grit then go up in 200's till you get to 2500grit. You'll probably rub off about 6 coats of clear.
Finally get a rubbing/finishing compound and polish. It's will set rock hard like the surface of your guitar and look a million dollars.

But my advice...buy one. Saves time, saves the frustration of seeing an eyelash do a nose dive into your wet paint and the family won't ask why theres green overspray on the car or the clothes on the line.

I have been spraying pickguards for years without one failure and have just done a batch of chrome and brass coloured pickguards with a mirror finish.