Candy Apple Red Miniflake lacquer How To

[Dadagoboi]

Oh yeah, that red is sexy. How accurate is the color in the picture vs seeing it in person?

That looks fantastic, well done!

It looks really good!
The flakes look bigger now that they are sprayed on the body.

Thanks guys! These pix might answer your questions. Hopkins: color varies a lot depending on the light. Rano: the silver flake shows like a flashbulb in the camera sometimes, it's actually the size of a pin point.

Extreme closeup

Sanding/polishing materials: rubber block, 400 wet or dry, micromesh 1500-12000, Harbor Freight buffer and bonnet and Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

I start with 400 silicon carbide to level, then switch to micromesh 1500 which is equivalent to the 400. It's a cushioned abrasive, it doesn't scratch and lasts forever. I've been using my recent set for over a year and at least 15 paint jobs. Working up from 1500 thru 1800, 2400, 3200, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 12000 takes about 5 minutes per grade. I store the abrasives under water in a plastic box like a Japanese water stone.

Body completely sanded, bottom panel polished.

Deep Shine

Fiesta Red reflection

Another angle

Top completely buffed

 

[Rano Bass]

Gold with a black base coat can look really good. But I can also have a tendency to look a little brown or green in certain light.

This one turned out really good, but next time I shoot a gold flake, especially a holographic flake like used on this bass, I will use a gold base coat. Under a red candy it should look spectacular though.

I used a gold base in this bass, also made with 004 mini flakes and a little of holographic mixed in.

That old school candy job came out really nice @Dadagoboi

 

[Dadagoboi]

I used a gold base in this bass, also made with 004 mini flakes and a little of holographic mixed in.
That old school candy job came out really nice @Dadagoboi

Thanks! That gold is really sharp!

 

[wraub]

I have to mention 2 things:
1: That looks fantastic;
and, B;
I really don't like red.

That's how good this looks.

 

[Dadagoboi]

On its way to Switzerland, hopefully in time to clear customs for a June 13 gig! 32" scale.

 

[Beej]

Gee whiz, well done mate...

 

[Rano Bass]

Is the fingerboard finished, or just the back of the neck?

 

[Dadagoboi]

Is the fingerboard finished, or just the back of the neck?

The entire neck, except for the headstock, is Mohawk nitro Piano Lacquer clear. It will yellow slightly after a few months. The rest of the bass is Hi-Performance clear acrylic lacquer. It stays water white.