Painting a White Pickguard Black

[Jazzin']

I photoshopped my Jaguar to have a black pickguard and like how it looks. Since these pickguards are not available unless custom made, I want to spraypaint it black myself.

Here is a picture of the bass:


1 - Is this a good idea?
2 - What kind of paint should I use?
3 - Should I do any preperations before painting it like lightly sanding?
4 - Would I need to add a clear coat or something on top?
5 - Does anybody have any experience with this?
6 - Is it possible to make it look like I actually bought a black pickguard?

[Salicete]

I would think that the paint would chip and scratch quickly, especially if you use a pick. By the time you buy the items to paint it, you will have spent more than just buying one when you consider what your time is worth.

There are any number of manufacturers who make pickguards at reasonable prices for your bass.

Check out this place. I have bought several pickguards from them, always first-class stuff, and reasonably priced. They have Jaguar pickguards in stock.


http://www.pickguards.us/pricejaguar.html


PS-Good looking bass, don't mess it up by spray painting the pickguard. (IMHO)

[Jazzin']

Originally Posted by Salicete

I would think that the paint would chip and scratch quickly, especially if you use a pick. By the time you buy the items to paint it, you will have spent more than just buying one when you consider what your time is worth.

There are any number of manufacturers who make pickguards at reasonable prices for your bass.

Check out this place. I have bought several pickguards from them, always first-class stuff, and reasonably priced. They have Jaguar pickguards in stock.


http://www.pickguards.us/pricejaguar.html


PS-Good looking bass, don't mess it up by spray painting the pickguard. (IMHO)

Keep in mind, this is a Jaguar Bass. The pickguard is different. I beleive it is impossible to get one unless it's custom made.

[Stu L.]

I've never painted one myself, but I have seen a few that were spraypainted. IMO, they all looked bad and cheap. However, I think Krylon is making spray paint for plastics now, and a gloss black in that might work. Just my $.02, etc

[Tommy Hagen]

Before you spraypaint you could mail Ishibashi in Japan and ask them if it's available in black. Their mail adress is: web-shop@ishibashi.co.jp

Tommy

[Jazzin']

Originally Posted by Tommy Hagen

Before you spraypaint you could mail Ishibashi in Japan and ask them if it's available in black. Their mail adress is: web-shop@ishibashi.co.jp

Tommy

I've already spoken to them. They wouldn't even give me a tort pg after they sent me a white one by accident. They said it was my fault it's white because when they checked it before they shipped it, it was tort.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

Keep in mind, this is a Jaguar Bass. The pickguard is different. I beleive it is impossible to get one unless it's custom made.

You can spray paint it with good results if you do a careful job. Look for Krylon brand spray cans and look for a fast drying one suitable for plastic. Read the label. Preparation of the pickguard is important to good final results, as is true with any finishing job. I'd give the pickguard a light hand sanding with 400 grit wet or dry paper to give it a bit of tooth to hold the paint better. Wash off all gunk, grease , wax and mung. You want it as clean as possible. I'd use alcohol for that, and because your pickguard isn't nitro, it will be safe to use as a cleaner. It'll dry quickly and leave no residue. You'll have your pickguard removed of course.

The trick with spray cans is to do multiple thin coats. You don't want runs and drips. 3 coats will probably do it. Practice on some white posterboard first to get the hang of it. Read the label to find out about drying times between coats. I've had good results with spray cans, provided I did careful work. Before spraying the last coat, check the finish and if you have bumps, nibs or paint sags, sand very lightly with 600 grit, but make sure the paint is completely dry first. Give the paint 2 to 3 days at room temperature to harden properly before you put the pickguard back in use. I think you can do a good job, and cheaper than getting a custom replacement done.

[jonpeck]

I'm also considering a new pick guard for the jag maybe a black on the red jag anyone have a photo shop?

a while back someone posted saying they sent blueprints off to a company and gave a price around $70

[Jazzin']

Originally Posted by 62bass

You can spray paint it with good results if you do a careful job. Look for Krylon brand spray cans and look for a fast drying one suitable for plastic. Read the label. Preparation of the pickguard is important to good final results, as is true with any finishing job. I'd give the pickguard a light hand sanding with 400 grit wet or dry paper to give it a bit of tooth to hold the paint better. Wash off all gunk, grease , wax and mung. You want it as clean as possible. I'd use alcohol for that, and because your pickguard isn't nitro, it will be safe to use as a cleaner. It'll dry quickly and leave no residue. You'll have your pickguard removed of course.

The trick with spray cans is to do multiple thin coats. You don't want runs and drips. 3 coats will probably do it. Practice on some white posterboard first to get the hang of it. Read the label to find out about drying times between coats. I've had good results with spray cans, provided I did careful work. Before spraying the last coat, check the finish and if you have bumps, nibs or paint sags, sand very lightly with 600 grit, but make sure the paint is completely dry first. Give the paint 2 to 3 days at room temperature to harden properly before you put the pickguard back in use. I think you can do a good job, and cheaper than getting a custom replacement done.

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably do this thursday because I have this coffee house thing to play at for my friends brother.

[Jazzin']

Would this be ok?
http://www.rona.ca/webapp/wcs/stores...C34374%2C34270

I also found something flat, plastic and white (2"x3") that I can practice/test on first.

[ponticat]

Krylon spray cans branded "Fusion" are the ones to use. I've sprayed two pickguards black that originally were white. The results were quite good.

[Jazzin']

What should I do for masking the beveled edges? I want to keep the white stripes on the edges.

[giglawyer]

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

I've already spoken to them. They wouldn't even give me a tort pg after they sent me a white one by accident. They said it was my fault it's white because when they checked it before they shipped it, it was tort.

I'm sorry, but that may be the funniest thing I read all day (its a slow day here).

[ponticat]

For masking the edges try very sticky, high quality tan masking tape or Scotch "Invisible" Mending Tape. Tape would have to applied very carefully (to avoid having the tape go up and over onto the face of the pickguard) and very firmly to avoid having paint bleed under the tape. The paint would have to be sprayed as thinly as possible to cover the white because an edge will build up where the paint meets the tape; the thicker the edge, the more prone it will be to chipping. It also may be possible to spray the whole pickguard and then scrape or sand the bevel to reveal the laminations. I have not tried this; the paint may chip at the edge where the bevel meets the face.

[Rocinante_x1]

www.terrapinguitars.com

they have jaguarbass pickguards there.

[Rocinante_x1]

Originally Posted by jonpeck

I'm also considering a new pick guard for the jag maybe a black on the red jag anyone have a photo shop?

a while back someone posted saying they sent blueprints off to a company and gave a price around $70

[Jazzin']

Originally Posted by Rocinante_x1

www.terrapinguitars.com

they have jaguarbass pickguards there.

Where? I can't find it.

[Rocinante_x1]

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

Where? I can't find it.

http://www.terrapinguitars.com/pg2/Jaguar_06.php

[Jazzin']

Originally Posted by Rocinante_x1

http://www.terrapinguitars.com/pg2/Jaguar_06.php

Doesn't say Jaguar Bass.
There's also a Jaguar guitar which is just called the Jaguar.

[Baa]

You could try plastic vinyl. Its available in hobbyshops or at decorators. The benefit is that it´s easy to apply and easy to remove, so if you change your mind you can easily restore it it´s original look. And if you schratch it, just replace it. I do this a lot, mostly because it´s kinda fun, and i get a new look on my bass whenever i want in 5 minutes.