Collage finish on thunderbird

[A_E_A]

I am about to start on a collage finish for an old epi thunderbird i have. To turn out something like the guitar pictured. Now I was wondering if anyone has some idea on what sort of glue i should use for the pictures. They are all cut outs from magazines. Also what should i use over the pictures to finish it. Anyone done something similar or know of any do's and dont's.
would be much appreciated thanks!

[ttmnky]

I think that if you want it to come out as a collage, but still be smooth to the touch, you can perhaps use waterslide decals, then spray a clearcoat overtop?

Of course, getting your waterslide decals printed up may not be cheap.

The cheapest way would probably be the "elementary school method" of white glue and magazine scraps, which will probably "ruin" the finish on your bass, but would certainly have mojo.

Personally, I would go for decals, and clearcoat. More durable, looks more "professional"

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Once again, an automotive paint shop is the best place to start. They'll tell You what kind of a clearcoat you'll need for something like that. I'd say 0.5-1mm thickness is what You're shooting at.

When You have the clearcoat, then you have to make sure that the paper/ink on the cuts is compatible with the clearcoat. And the glue as well if You don't use the clear coat as an adhesive. After that it's just elbow grease and personal protection against the hazardous materials.

If going over the bends isn't absolutely necessary, I'd use a sheet of "contact plastic" IOW a sheet of plastic You use to cover the books and stuff to protect them. Just attach the pics on the contact side and glue the collage to the guitar. It won't be durable as the edges will peal, but it's dirt cheap and that way You can experiment as much as you like as everything is highly reversible.

If I was to try something like collages on instruments, I'd probably seal the artwork in a vacu-form sheet and just trim the cavities.

The model hobbyists have sheets that You can print your own water-slide decals with, but the last time I checked they did cost an arm and a leg.

Regards
Sam