Paint a Pickguard?

Gearhead17 · #1 08-31-2011, 10:58 PM

Assuming the usual run of the mill white Fender Precision pickguard (not the pearloid pattern), can you paint over the material? I assume there is some sort of coating on there...... How do you remove that?

Acrylic paint? Spray paint a better alternative?

Sorry if this seems dumb, I recently had a custom Mike Lull P5 (with humbuckers instead of a P pickup) created and the white pickguard does not quite match the deep green metallic color the body is. Rather than spending more money and getting a custom pickguard created, I thought it would be easier to just take what I have and do a quick change to it.

Thanks

pocketgroove · #2 08-31-2011, 11:22 PM

I removed mine and spray-painted it with no prep, and it came out fine. You could sand it very lightly, I think, to help the paint stick better.

IcosianBass · #3 08-31-2011, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocketgroove

I removed mine and spray-painted it with no prep, and it came out fine. You could sand it very lightly, I think, to help the paint stick better.

He has got the idea

just give it a light sand to scuff it up and prime it then paint it then fint a clear coat finish and coat it in that. let it settle for a few days before playing it or you will just scratch it and chip it suuuper easy since the paint will still be soft, even though its dry.

Billy K · #4 09-01-2011, 06:47 AM

I did it to one of my pickguards and it is holding up well the primer is important plus some 800 sandpaper to ruff up the surface. I had the paint already to buy it new 6,or 7 bucks a can? dollar for sandpaper your at 15 bucks and a pickguard is 20 at GC. Just sayin

hover · #5 09-01-2011, 06:52 AM

I would go more for having a custom vinyl applique placed over the face of the guard. The could be done by any vinyl lettering company for very little money, and would look pro.

The paint, dependent on playing technique, will suffer scratching and flaking over time and will look horrible. Any scratching marks will also transfer up through the paint / clearcoat.

You could always have a custom guard made, there are many options there, and you will have the original, unmodified guard if you change your mind later.

Besides, a custom Lull deserves better than a spraypainted pickguard.

bunnykeeper · #6 09-01-2011, 09:58 AM

Another idea is contact paper. You can even get a nice tablecloth pattern.

rtslinger · #7 09-01-2011, 10:04 AM

Just buy spray paint good for plastics it says it on the can also has info about prep if any I did not do anything but sprayed it on worked great Krylon Fusion for Plastic

Definitely · #8 09-01-2011, 10:17 AM

NOOB ALERT: I'm new to the whole modding process and I have been thinking of doing the same thing with mine, but how do I take the output jack and pots off my pg before painting it?

JLS · #9 09-01-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Definitely

NOOB ALERT: I'm new to the whole modding process and I have been thinking of doing the same thing with mine, but how do I take the output jack and pots off my pg before painting it?

Remove the knobs first. Remove the nuts that affix the pots & jack to the pickguard.

Gearhead17 · #10 09-01-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy K

I did it to one of my pickguards and it is holding up well the primer is important plus some 800 sandpaper to ruff up the surface. I had the paint already to buy it new 6,or 7 bucks a can? dollar for sandpaper your at 15 bucks and a pickguard is 20 at GC. Just sayin

It would have to be a custom pickguard because I had two humbuckers installed instead of a p-pickup. And since I want some sort of unique color, it will be like $50/$60. Plus, I paid for this bass months ago, and now I am unemployed....you can see where I am at.