• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Can i paint a guitar with wall paint?

Hello. I am wondering if i can paint my guitar with house paint. The kind you paint your walls with. I was going to wet sand it to the wood and then paint it in a eddie van halen style stripes. Does this work??
 
Sure it would work. But it likely won't come out very even or shiny. And it likely won't hold up very well to the rigors of playing. I personally wouldn't spend any of my time or money doing it that way.

I've only done polyurethane, but I believe the right way to do solid color is auto body paint, and when one color is good and dry, tape if off and do the stripes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aberdumbie
My vote is for a natural finish. Spray some lacquer or polyurethane on it, several coats, and you're done.

cf061601123418bae947e0812e59362b--bass-guitars-top-rated.jpg
 
As others have said; not a good idea. This is one of those things that fall into the "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" category. Companies like ReRanch will sell you everything you need to do a really good looking job, at a very reasonable price. Check out the Rattle Can Refinish Club in the Basses Forum here...:thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
Why wet sand down to the wood in prep. Why wet sand at all before primer or color for that matter. Use coarse grit paper to remove the finish then finer to prep for painting. After you applied primer, sand to level. If you have any sand throughs, put another coat of primer on and repeat this until you have a nice level surface, then sand with 320 and apply your first cot of color. Do the same thing to your color you did to your primer, block sand until level with no sand throughs, then start with the buffing compound until you are happy with the shine.

Or do it the Q&E way and sand down to smooth then hit it with some rattle can "paint and primer in one". You will still need to sand it out to get it level but you just skip the primer and keep using color until you have it level then wet sand and buff.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Killed_by_Death
Ok look.... Most "house paint" is latex paint.if you want a nice shiny guitar you will not achieve that with latex paint. Not to mention it will hold grime and be butt ugly in short order. If your house paint is oil based (clean brushes with paint thinner) you may be able to arrive at a passable finish. As others have mentioned, a four buck rattle can and very fine grade sandpaper can give you a nice job. Light coats. Dry. Light sanding. Another light coat. Sand, etc until the finish is as deep as you want. Heck, I redid a Fender on a car this way once with very acceptable results.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlc1976