Painting pickguard

[Fynn]

Hey, basically I was planning on making my bass look nicer (to me). I wasn't quite sure in which category to put this post, so I just put it in miscellaneous and hope this isn't necessarily wrong.

What I'm looking for is suggestion as to how I could properly paint my pickguard. I want to paint some flower power type things on it and I just don't know how I would go about such a project. In terms of what kind of paint (or maybe pens) to use and how I would seal it afterwards, I am completly clueless.

Has anybody here ever done something like this, or have any ideas? It doesn't have to ever come off, since I can very easily just replace the white pickguard if it annoys me, but it should stay there for an extended period of time.

Appreciate any input... unless you're trying to tell me that it's a stupid idea in general haha

 

[MonetBass]

@WI Short Scaler has done this with success. Here's a post of a couple he has done: Looking to paint a pickguard....suggestions?

 

[Marko 1]

Prepare the surface (clean/dull), paint artwork, clear over.

So long as you use compatible paints, should be fun.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Hey, basically I was planning on making my bass look nicer (to me). I wasn't quite sure in which category to put this post, so I just put it in miscellaneous and hope this isn't necessarily wrong.

What I'm looking for is suggestion as to how I could properly paint my pickguard. I want to paint some flower power type things on it and I just don't know how I would go about such a project. In terms of what kind of paint (or maybe pens) to use and how I would seal it afterwards, I am completly clueless.

Has anybody here ever done something like this, or have any ideas? It doesn't have to ever come off, since I can very easily just replace the white pickguard if it annoys me, but it should stay there for an extended period of time.

Appreciate any input... unless you're trying to tell me that it's a stupid idea in general haha

It's pretty easy to do. @MonetBass already shared a couple I've done. Unfortunately we lost a flash drive that had some photos of other guards my son painted for friends. He actually painted the two referenced in Monet's post too. I just did the prep work and the clear.

-I used fine steel wool or very fine sandpaper to just rough up the clear finish some
-clean with alcohol to get rid of any finger oils
-paint as you'd like
-apply clear coat, as much as you'd like, I tended to go heavy on them

 

[Fynn]

It's pretty easy to do. @MonetBass already shared a couple I've done. Unfortunately we lost a flash drive that had some photos of other guards my son painted for friends. He actually painted the two referenced in Monet's post too. I just did the prep work and the clear.

-I used fine steel wool or very fine sandpaper to just rough up the clear finish some
-clean with alcohol to get rid of any finger oils
-paint as you'd like
-apply clear coat, as much as you'd like, I tended to go heavy on them

And that holds up fine over a long time? I thought about getting some sort of foil if something like that even exists, but if just clear coating works, then that's a pretty simple solution

 

[WI Short Scaler]

And that holds up fine over a long time? I thought about getting some sort of foil if something like that even exists, but if just clear coating works, then that's a pretty simple solution

I guess it all depends on the abuse you give them? I played with fingers only for years and even with a pick I haven't put many marks on it so maybe if you're more aggressive they'd wear faster? Can't answer that. Those two have been on for around 10 years and the Grumpy one has seen lots of playing time. If you look at that one you can see a small area above the E string where I rest my thumb but that's about it for wear.

Hope that helps.

 

[Fynn]

I guess it all depends on the abuse you give them? I played with fingers only for years and even with a pick I haven't put many marks on it so maybe if you're more aggressive they'd wear faster? Can't answer that. Those two have been on for around 10 years and the Grumpy one has seen lots of playing time. If you look at that one you can see a small area above the E string where I rest my thumb but that's about it for wear.

Hope that helps.

Yeah, that's great information. Thanks for all the info and help!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Yeah, that's great information. Thanks for all the info and help!

You're welcome, be sure to share what you come up with.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

I guess it all depends on the abuse you give them? I played with fingers only for years and even with a pick I haven't put many marks on it so maybe if you're more aggressive they'd wear faster? Can't answer that. Those two have been on for around 10 years and the Grumpy one has seen lots of playing time. If you look at that one you can see a small area above the E string where I rest my thumb but that's about it for wear.

Hope that helps.

That's the thing I was about to bring up, Scale. I'm an aggressive picker, and that stuff does actually hold up pretty well to it. It was about four months into doing it when I realized that I had "knuckled" a white spot in over time. Lol.

 

[definenredefine]

I want to paint some flower power type things on it

 

[definenredefine]

Seriously, though, what about using a clear pickguard? You could paint the design on the back, and never worry about it getting scratched off since it would be under a tenth of an inch of plastic.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

Seriously, though, what about using a clear pickguard? You could paint the design on the back, and never worry about it getting scratched off since it would be under a tenth of an inch of plastic.

You can also paint up something that fits the cut of your pickguard and basically put it underneath the pickguard, and constantly change it up. I feel like that would be a more fun use of it.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

You can also paint up something that fits the cut of your pickguard and basically put it underneath the pickguard, and constantly change it up. I feel like that would be a more fun use of it.

I actually knew someone back in an early band (I was still a drummer) who had a clear guard made for his 80's Kramer "hockey stick" headstock type guitar with one pickup. He frequently changed the artwork under it. Always thought that was a cool idea. I was just commenting on the paint idea which I'd done.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Seriously, though, what about using a clear pickguard? You could paint the design on the back, and never worry about it getting scratched off since it would be under a tenth of an inch of plastic.

Just like an r/c car body.

 

[GlennRH]

If you live or work near an art school, then this could provide a great opportunity for you to get in there seeking help, thus giving the student (special project for marks, maybe) or teacher (chance to put more knowledge to use) of your choice a feel-good moment, and possibly getting a better result than if you were to act alone.

 

[Jeff Mock]

I just did this on a P bass. I'll post the build in another thread. But sanding with 600-1000 grit did the trick for me. Don't sand too hard, because the pickguard will heat up and warp/melt. Wiped it all with rubbing alcohol to remove any oils and dust. I set it up on a couple wood blocks taped to cardboard, then set the pickguard on tape attached to those blocks. That way I can spray around the edges easily. Then I just lightly sprayed 3 coats of Krylon Satin Fusion on it. If you're wanting your artwork to show, Krylon does make clear coats in different sheens. About 6 bucks a can. 3 coats easy out of one can.

JM

 

[WI Short Scaler]

If you live or work near an art school, then this could provide a great opportunity for you to get in there seeking help, thus giving the student (special project for marks, maybe) or teacher (chance to put more knowledge to use) of your choice a feel-good moment, and possibly getting a better result than if you were to act alone.

Or even a high school with a good teacher. My first parts bass was airbrushed by my son as a class art project when he was a senior at the local high school.