Possible to change the color of the guitars body?

Graham Monette · #1 11-18-2006, 11:30 PM

Hi guys... I was thinking, if the laquer of the body was sanded off... and only the bare wood was left; would it be possible to restain the wood for a better finish, or just apply a different laquer, whereas you can change the basses natural look; but with a different hue?
this is my bass...

Is it possible to have a blue wood stain (as an example), or a very deep and vivid wood color? It looks quite boring the way it is... and I'd just like to "beef up" its looks.

202dy · #2 11-19-2006, 07:06 AM

That's a lot of work but it can be done.

There are two ways to get a see-through finish. The easy was is to tint the lacquer with color. The grain will be somewhat obscured with this method but it will look good. If you know what is on the body now you can spray the same thing over the existing finish.

If you want the boldness of the grain to "pop" in the final finish then the stain will be applied directly to the wood. The existing finish is removed and the wood is stained. Then the top coat of finish is applied.

These are simple, quick answers to a subject that requires a a good bit of skill and know-how. But it gets you to the next series of questions.

62bass · #3 11-19-2006, 07:36 AM

If you spray a tinted lacquer over the existing finish you'll hide a lot of the boldness of the grain that's showing now. You'll also have to take into account what the final resulting colour will be when you combine the tint with the brown that's there now. You may not like the result if you apply a blue tint, for example.

Your best bet is to strip the finish down to bare wood, re-stain with the colour you want and then apply clear top coats; and as pointed out, it's a lot of work and requires a bit of skill and patience. Getting it done professionaly would cost a lot. It's very labour consuming.

Graham Monette · #4 11-19-2006, 11:02 AM

okay, thanks a LOT for the responses... much appreciated

RareBear · #5 11-19-2006, 11:14 AM

It can be done. But if you do-it-yourself without experience, pro finishing equipment or knowledge of how to keep dust particles from landing on the new finish before it dries, you'll probably be very disappointed in the results. I tried that once when I thought there would be nothing to it but stripping, sanding and spraying. It came out a mess which I restripped, resanded and resprayed just to create another totally amateur looking mess. My advice: it's not as simple as it might seem. If you want "transparent" results--meaning results that don't show obvious signs of amateur tinkering--have it done by a real pro whose work you can check out before hand. And expect to pay a considerable amount. Other than that DON'T DO IT IF YOU VALUE YOUR GUITAR AND YOUR SANITY.

ptidwell · #6 11-20-2006, 06:55 PM

I had my F Bass BN5 refinished by Pat Wilkins. The nitrosoxide
finish was wearing off after a year of use, so I had Pat refinish it in a poly. BTW Pat paints the NYC Sadowsky's.
Can you tell the before and after?

keyboardguy · #7 11-20-2006, 10:08 PM

I've had great luck with woodburst oil based stains(www.woodburst.com) and Minwax tung oil...

Here's my Carvin Swamp ash and the stain....

Regards,

Mike

Graham Monette · #8 11-21-2006, 01:07 AM

^wow those turned out amazing. Were those redone using the above methods?

Any contact info for Pat Wilkins?

keyboardguy · #9 11-21-2006, 10:55 PM

Here's a great site with pictures and detailed info...

http://www.lizzydaymont.com/bolt_gtr_info.htm

Mike

RareBear · #10 11-21-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptidwell

I had my F Bass BN5 refinished by Pat Wilkins. The nitrosoxide
finish was wearing off after a year of use, so I had Pat refinish it in a poly. BTW Pat paints the NYC Sadowsky's.
Can you tell the before and after?

Perfect in either incarnation. The teal is beautiful--the natural awesome too. I'd be pleased with either color.

garth elson · #11 11-24-2006, 01:53 PM

It's very very possible! try here: http://www.projectguitar.com/

garth elson · #12 11-24-2006, 01:54 PM

more specifically, http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/tutorial5.htm

#13 11-26-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Monette

^wow those turned out amazing. Were those redone using the above methods?

Any contact info for Pat Wilkins?

Contact Pat Wilkins at www.wilkinsguitars.com Pat does excellent work!

George