What paint to use?

[Basshead88]

Hi basstalk, I have a bass I’m refinishing I picked it up for next to nothing so I don’t want to spend a ton, the bass has quite a few large chips that need to be filled first.

Wondering what paint I should use and how to fill the chips?

do I need to remove the red paint?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Hi basstalk, I have a bass I’m refinishing I picked it up for next to nothing so I don’t want to spend a ton, the bass has quite a few large chips that need to be filled first.

Wondering what paint I should use and how to fill the chips?
View attachment 5122403 View attachment 5122404
do I need to remove the red paint?

It's hard for us to answer that without knowing a few things from you. There are many types of paints, with different pros and cons and equipment and experience required.

The first thing is what are you looking for as the final result? A simple opaque color? Metallic/metalflake? Transparent color with the grain showing through? Almost-bare wood? High gloss? Satin?

The second thing is what skill level do you want to work at? A wipe-on finish? Spray cans? Or do you have a compressor and spray gun, and some experience with them?

 

[Basshead88]

It's hard for us to answer that without knowing a few things from you. There are many types of paints, with different pros and cons and equipment and experience required.

The first thing is what are you looking for as the final result? A simple opaque color? Metallic/metalflake? Transparent color with the grain showing through? Almost-bare wood? High gloss? Satin?

The second thing is what skill level do you want to work at? A wipe-on finish? Spray cans? Or do you have a compressor and spray gun, and some experience with them?

thanks I’m looking to do a solid purple colour, I have a compressor and I do own a spray gun but I have 0 to little experience using it, I’m a carpenter/contractor I have a ton of experience staining wood but with the dents in the guitar I’d either have to do a sunburst or solid paint.

I was looking at these paints
Royal Purple | Guitar Paint | Nitro Lacquer | Oxford Guitar Supply
Has anyone had experience with this brand? Im alittle hesitant because it looks like I’d need to use primer and then paint and then clear coat so that brand may be alittle over what I want to pay

 

[Matt Liebenau]

thanks I’m looking to do a solid purple colour, I have a compressor and I do own a spray gun but I have 0 to little experience using it, I’m a carpenter/contractor I have a ton of experience staining wood but with the dents in the guitar I’d either have to do a sunburst or solid paint.

I was looking at these paints
Royal Purple | Guitar Paint | Nitro Lacquer | Oxford Guitar Supply
Has anyone had experience with this brand? Im alittle hesitant because it looks like I’d need to use primer and then paint and then clear coat so that brand may be alittle over what I want to pay

I’m not familiar with the Oxford Supply paints. By all reports they’re good. Look up Brad Angove on the YouTubes. He’s used their paint both from cans and spray gun.

To really do a opaque finish right you should fill or fix any issues, prime, paint, then clear. You could try Solo guitars. They carry Oxford and could be cheaper then direct. They or the manufacturer offer kits as well with everything you need to finish one guitar. Again, I believe Brad Angove has at least unboxed the kit.

To fill issues, there’s any number of products that will work. Epoxy, the better stuff like Total Boat or West Systems. On an opaque finish I’ve used Bondo glazing and spot putty or Timbermate for smaller fills. Be patient with the prep. It’s difficult but also the most important part. I had a buddy who could get almost factory finish type results with spray cans because he was meticulous about the prep work and got it all perfect before spraying anything.

Where the existing paint is still good you can leave that and just scuff with 220 grit before spraying and fill the problem areas around it.

 

[Basshead88]

Would you guys recommend using a primer before spray painting it, I used Bondo and sanded the paint I’m not to concerned about the finish I’m using rustoleum paint and primer