Painting Bass

[ilnickyJ]

Can you still get a good finish on a guitar by painting it with a brush or a roller?

I don't have anything like an air brush or a lot of cash to pay for a paint job.

Which would be the best way?

 

[wildbeast]

yes, you can get a "good" finish but you will need to sand it after with sandpaper if you do.

I used a brush to paint the plywood body on my charvette and it give a correct finish.

 

[62bass]

Can you still get a good finish on a guitar by painting it with a brush or a roller?

I don't have anything like an air brush or a lot of cash to pay for a paint job.

Which would be the best way?

You can, but you have to use the right paint and do a lot of careful prep work and between coats sanding. I can do a paint job that looks as good as any factory spray paint job, but it's a lot of work and does require some practice to get it down. Otherwise you end up with something that looks like it was painted with a brush by an amateur. I wouldn't use a roller on a bass. I'd use a good quality brush. Then after the last coat of paint is sanded to a flawless finish I'd give it a couple coats of a clear varnish and rub out the last coat to a high gloss.

Or you can use aerosol spray cans. You can get a good finish with them too with practice.

 

[Pilgrim]

My answer is a flat NO. A brush or roller will NOT give you any decent finish on a bass.

Do a search and you will find many, many threads about painting with rattle cans - which are no more expensive than brush paint, but much more appropriate.

 

[62bass]

I stand by my answer. It can be done. I didn't say it was easy but it can be done. It is done on furniture routinely by woodworkers who don't have spray equipment.

Not the best way to go about it for a beginner though. You have to use good brushes and know how to use them. Choice of paint is important too. Surface prep, like with any finish is critical. Each coat of paint must be sanded and levelled to perfection to remove the inevitable brush strokes. It can be done though. It's done with varnish and a brush. Why not with paint? Check some issues of Fine Woodworking for examples of painted furniture that looks like it's been sprayed.