Looking to paint a pickguard....suggestions?

[MasterBrianD]

Hi,

I have an old P Bass copy that I want to paint or refinish the pickguard on one way or another as it has some permanent sticker shade and residue and just looks crap, I know it would be easier to just buy a spare pickguard online for a P Bass but I laready tried to fit a USA Fender Precision pickguard on it and it didn't fit at all, not just the screw holes but the whole size is completely off.

The brand of the Bass is Richwood and I can't find any serial numbers or identifiers on the bass to tell me the exact model so they are impossible to get parts for.

Is there an exact type of paint or some other better way to go about this? I know nothing about painting or finishing an instrument or parts.

I've attached a picture below, thanks!

 

[MasterBrianD]

If anyone is wondering I sanded down the pick guard to a matte finish using sandpaper and removed all the residue, it looks scratched to all hell but I'm happy enough with the outcome, certainly looks better than it was!

First time using sandpaper on any of my basses so I was a bit nervous, hence the looking for advice part, all sorted now

 

[Guild B301]

They make spray paints especially for using on plastics. That should last longer, because the bond is better. Some spray paints can make plastics soften or even melt. Since the guitar is a copy, and you don’t know what kind of plastic it is made from, it would be better to be safe, than sorry. I think most of the paints made especially for plastic, are glossy.

 

[CatchaCuda]

I'd be tempted to sand it smooth, say with 400- up to 2000 grit and then buff it. Otherwise, Krylon fusion worked pretty well for me. I sanded the beveled edges clean after the paint was well cured.

Only pic I can find at the moment. I'd take another, but the top bass is apart for routing and the bottom sold.

 

[StevieMac]

I'd be tempted to sand it smooth, say with 400- up to 2000 grit and then buff it. Otherwise, Krylon fusion worked pretty well for me. I sanded the beveled edges clean after the paint was well cured. View attachment 4003923Only pic I can find at the moment. I'd take another, but the top bass is apart for routing and the bottom sold.

Exactley what I would suggest as well. I'd start with the sanding idea and resort to krylon fusion if I wasn't satisfied with the sanding solution.

 

[wraub]

I don't know if you have Scotchbrite pads in Ireland but any similar, softly abrasive might work better than sandpaper... I did that to a "too shiny" Squier 'guard and it's an even matte without scratches.

If anyone is wondering I sanded down the pick guard to a matte finish using sandpaper and removed all the residue, it looks scratched to all hell but I'm happy enough with the outcome, certainly looks better than it was!

First time using sandpaper on any of my basses so I was a bit nervous, hence the looking for advice part, all sorted now

 

[Bloomfield]

If there is any worry about the solvents in paint attacking the pickguard, try spraying the back first as a test. Usually they are PVC which should stand up to most spray paints. Krylon Fusion is probably a good one to try.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I've had a couple that were painted over the years. I just used some steel wool and "roughed" the gloss off the front of the guard, white primer, and then my son airbrushed the design. Once he was done with that I put the guard flat on some construction foam and applied a heavy coat of spray gloss poly on top. They've held up well.

Yes, I know this is a guitar, but still a painted pickguard, same process.