How to Paint an Awesome Burst with Lacquer (Tri tone!)

In this video we do a really cool tri-tone burst finish using nitrocellulose lacquer. This paint job is done using Oxford lacquers. The colors we are using are tobacco brown, mahogany red, and vintage amber. The kit is the ES335 kit from Solo Guitars. This thing ends up looking awesome, and I can't wait to get the clear coat on it and get it finished up.
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[@MarkGray1970]

The neck looks crazy cool!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Mark!

[@richsackett3423]

While nobody wants to watch you sand, everybody wants to watch you paint. Also: Don't they have wire coat hangers in Canada?

[@BradAngove]

I’m using something similar to a wire coat hanger already to hang this.

[@allanwright9531]

Love a sun burst

[@kmichaelp4508]

The real question is… would Chris be proud of it? Would he offer you a Coors Lite? Well… I’ll offer you a cigar!😬

[@BradAngove]

Chris would not be proud of me because I’m using lacquer. I don’t think Chris ever uses lacquer haha.

[@kmichaelp4508]

@@BradAngove , but you got a cigar from me!

[@AbhilashaKitchenQueen]

Just Wow 👌💕

[@vanshankguitars]

Why don't you just add a short section of chain to the ceiling hook to bring the guitar lower to make it easier for you.

[@BradAngove]

I’m not the only one who uses the booth and I didn’t have any chain handy haha.

[@jeffrussell6287]

This is great! I need to get a spray gun.

[@darrenmarino4808]

I must say the guitar looks beautiful!! The videos are always well done and enjoyable. If you paint from the inside ( center ) outward , what’s your method of blending colors?

[@BradAngove]

Going from in to out I would spray the whole thing amber and then follow a similar spraying pattern/technique for the others. It’s just the same process in reverse, but it blends a bit differently when you go dark on top.

[@dougballard3089]

Is there a part 2 for this episode by chance? I was waiting to see what you did after pulling off the 1/4" fine line tape?

[@BradAngove]

There’s a whole build series on those one on my channel. Just look around the time of this video.

[@shigno.]

When painting the hollow body guitar, should I cover the F-holes of the body? And how should I approach that? Thank you!

[@BradAngove]

I generally don’t cover them. If you wanted to, you would try to tape from underneath.

[@phish1]

Great videos! I was following your 3 part video series in a 335 guitar kit build. In terms of order of the videos, Would this video be the step in bw part 2 and 3 of the series? Cause I saw you did some spraying at the end of part 2, then part 3 the guitar already had Tritons finish applied. So I assume this video is bw 2 and 3? Thanks!

[@BradAngove]

Yes this is part of the series but also a stand alone topic.

[@Charles-Darwin]

If you're watching this and need rattle cans: Behlen or Mohawk (same company)instrument lacquer has a flavor called star cast amber that is amazing to work with and the results are akin. It's luster light gold that when built up gets more rich and deeper in color and visual depth - nowhere close to being 'flaked' or overkill flashy. I've never seen a guitar with this color, it was thrilling to see it when it went on - being I thought it was just a simple amber. They also have a brown that has this same effect but I can't remember if it's mahogany brown or some other name. Something tells me I read that mahogany was a bit light for a vintage 2 tone, so maybe search around a bit on Amazon reviews and youtube vids, bc I believe there is a similar but slightly darker tone.

[@BradAngove]

Yeah I have an old tutorial on doing a burst with Behlen/Mohawk spray cans. Very similar. These Oxford finishes also come in spray cans.

[@mattliebenau9083]

The guitar looks great Brad! Kudos on doing the burst on the neck and headstock. Here, I was all set to mock you for not doing that.😄

[@BradAngove]

Sorry for depriving you of the opportunity.

[@raycave2829]

Will you be showing clear coating part of this build? Excellent video Brad.

[@BradAngove]

Yes, I’ll but addressing that to some extent.

[@Marcopolofilmz]

Hey Brad, I am using U-pol 4:1 polyurethane as my clear coat and was wondering if its possible to use it as a base coat with some lacquer tint or if i'll need a different product for tinting poly. thanks!

[@BradAngove]

What kind of lacquer tint? I use HOK candy concentrates to ting my upol.

[@Xpyburnt_ndz]

Gr8 vid Brad. Thnx!!! I'm thinking of doing this same thing only with a Forest Green, Aqua Marine and Yellow, but we'll see!!!

[@BradAngove]

Ooooh that sounds cool. Almost a dragon burst type of thing but with a darker green?

[@Xpyburnt_ndz]

@@BradAngove exactly! 😃

[@addman34555]

Hey brad wondering if you could give me some tips. I’m finishing a guitar with a Self-Priming Maintenance Enamel Gloss which is apparently an oil based alkyld enamel paint. The company says I don’t need a clear coat because it dries hard and glossy. But I was just wondering if I could put a clear coat over this or not? Reading online a lot of places have said I cannot put a clear coat or urethane over this as it will not stick or that it might peel but other sites have said I can put a polyurethane over the oil based enamel? I was wondering you’re great at finishing guitars and have done so with many materials. I was just wondering if I could put a clear coat poly urethane over this oil based or not?

[@BradAngove]

Hi Nick, did I respond to this question on a different forum? Facebook perhaps?

[@matjazrems4781]

nicee

[@mattomon1045]

Mr Angove what do you use As a top coat if you use one? or you just buff it. The burst looks great.

[@BradAngove]

I use clear nitrocellulose lacquer from the same company.

[@cadenlauhoff4359]

First

[@OnTheFritz602]

Wow, stunning! Can't wait to see and hear this beauty when it's all wrapped up!

[@BradAngove]

Thank you

[@cadenlauhoff4359]

I’m doing a sunburst on a tele and should I use grain filler?

[@BradAngove]

It depends on the wood. If it’s open grain you should.

[@markjohnson5636]

Looks fantastic. I just sprayed my first tests with Oxford lacquer. They do ship to the US, which is great, arrived quickly and well packed. I confirmed with Oxford that they should be thinned - I mention only because you say ready to spray out of the can. I'm sure most know this, and my guess is you assumed, but for someone like me that is new at spraying I had to check. Thanks for another great video - super helpful as always.

[@sammyrothrock6981]

I personally love using alcohol color dyes and cheese cloth method . Your method I have also done . Thanks for you channel

[@BradAngove]

Thanks for watching

[@randyherbrechtsmeier4796]

Great Paint. Took 4 days to the States

[@BradAngove]

Nice, that’s actually quite fast.

[@landofahhs_1]

Pardon, a novice question...How important is it to do a test burst of your choice of paints before painting a guitar? I know you stress the quality of all your paints, but I can imagine there are some colors that look like good combination choices which could look funky in a real world paint combo...and then there are deviations as in your red paint that could make duplicating a previous paint job difficult.

[@BradAngove]

If you’re trying to duplicate a paint job or you’re uncertain if the colors will go together then it is imperative you test them unless you’re willing to strip the paint and start over. In this case I knew the colors would work together and I wasn’t trying to match anything in particular so I didn’t need to test them.

[@landofahhs_1]

@@BradAngove thank you for taking the time to reply. I know you know what you're doing, but for me a quick test paint is probably a necessity. :)

[@zombiedigs101]

Oxford does ship to usa!!

[@BradAngove]

Indeed

[@ricksigurdson2016]

I do both with transparent. Start with base then the burst and I do the base lightly over it again. That is one great burst.

[@SweetTGuitars]

I completely agree with you on the grain direction and it not being important after sealing. I think sanding in one direction is preferred but only 180 grit and down. That's my opinion anyway! Peace Brad

[@BradAngove]

Cheers my friend

[@linxMuppet]

What sand grit did u use?

[@BradAngove]

Would be 800 typically for this.

[@j-mo2453]

There’s probably a good oil and wax remover in the liquor cabinet. There’s sure to be something I’ll never drink again in there. Snif ew old gin yes this is the stuff. Lol

[@j-mo2453]

Chris the ric flair of guitar painting over at Texas Toast uses isopropyl alcohol and water. Lol

[@j-mo2453]

Oh my gosh… I’m totally anticipating the now I’ll do Amber innuendo. Lmao!

[@j-mo2453]

Going in with the Amber is close enough… lol

[@scottestes7768]

Lookin good Brad

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Scott, but what do you think of the guitar?…jk

[@ericclement1598]

dark to light is the way in other forms of painting so makes sense to do the burst that way

[@BradAngove]

I can’t get on board with that logic. Every type of painting is different and I disagree that dark to light is the way in many of them. Airbrush work for example is almost always light to dark.

[@ericclement1598]

@@BradAngove true i guess i was thinking in terms of you starting your dark burst and then laying your lighter tones on top reminded me of the way i paint with acrylics or oils where i will lay in light and dark values then glaze transparent colors on top. But yeah you are right my comment as sort of off because it's so specific to material and what material you are painting and method. loved the video i'm about to do my first guitar and i'm going for dyes but i have an spray gun and a few airbrushes so when i get a bit braver maybe il try a spray burst. Dude your videos are like a manual for people stepping into this realm 🤘🏼

[@BradAngove]

@ericclement1598 thanks Eric. Have you watched bigDGuitars? He has some of the best dye burst videos out there.

[@stephenbarton2625]

Yep! Just got my paint yesterday. Going to do a Butterscotch blonde on an Offset Tele body. Yay!!!!

[@BradAngove]

Awesome

[@murph9935]

This may be an odd question, but is it considered "okay" to do a burst with opaque colors? I have an old Squier that I'd like to try something like this on, but the body's made out of three very different colored pieces of agathis and would certainly look like hammered ass with transparent colors. Beautiful job on the 335, by the way.

[@BradAngove]

Absolutely. I mentioned opaque bursts in the video.

[@markmilligan8773]

OMG 😲 what a wonderful burst. And all with a mini gun. I ain't doing that you made that look so easy but I know it wasn't. See that ribbon string us still there albeit you moved away from it. My temper would have yanked that down by now but you're too nice for that. Lol 😆

[@BradAngove]

Haha thanks Mark

[@briansimpson8116]

WOW BRAD!! If I were as good in the bedroom as you are with a paint gun, my cousins would be so happy. Great work man! 🇨🇦👍EH!

[@BradAngove]

Hahahaha

[@GL64]

Man that looks awesome!

[@lyndelguitars9478]

Looks great!!! Quick tip for the hanging height issue. Loop tie wraps around the hook you're hanging it from then hook your guitar into the tie wrap and you can easily make it whatever height you want. Also a question: I assume you're spraying HVLP and do you spray at the PSI recommended for the gun or do you play around with that a bit?

[@BradAngove]

Yes, it’s hvlp. I need to hold the guitar regardless so I can get it close enough to the booth, but having it lower would have been nice under other circumstances. I adjust the psi depending on what I’m spraying, what fan pattern I’m using, etc.

[@343guiltyguitarist4]

I used your binding scraping tip and it turned out wonderful. You’ve got a long time subscriber out of me. Was able to finish my 1957 lespaul in a beautiful sparkling burgundy!

[@BradAngove]

Glad to hear it!

[@rabrown22000]

Ok, I've seen enough to decide that's the kit I want lol. I plan to do green with gold hardware. I'll decide on transparent or solid depending what the grain looks like when finally get the kit. Just have to find the right green in a product I can use. Maybe Oxford will have a non metallic by the time I eventually get to this ;-)

[@BradAngove]

They have some already I think. I would consider getting a green dye though and mixing it into their clear if you want transparent.

[@truffeltroll6668]

I hoped you'd paint this one a bit more modern. But damn, that technique and final product look soo good. How do you keep you hands calm?

[@BradAngove]

Thanks; I just have some practice at that motion from having done a lot of painting.

[@electroKrunch]

Nice outcome, Brad!! Thanks for the instruction!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Karl

[@danandratis]

Really like the way you did the burst, guitar is looking so nice, anxious so see it finished! Thanks for the video Brad.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Dan

[@roberth6614]

Nice burst, the real fun will be fishing the pots and wires into the body

[@BradAngove]

Haha yeah that’s going to be an adventure.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Brad this is great. I'm hoping you will show us how you remove the dusty over spray, please do.

[@BradAngove]

Hi Donald, I’m not sure if I filmed that but it was literally just a simple matter of wiping it off. I used a bit of wax and grease remover on a shop towel and just wiped it down like usual.

[@pops71]

That turn out amazing, really, really nice work. Almost a cherry burst. I can’t wait to see the clear over top

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Michael

[@baraggan4195]

looks amazing always happy to se new ways to do paint jobs (especially bursts)

[@BradAngove]

Thank you

[@danielbell4007]

Called it with the burst.

[@BradAngove]

Haha nice work

[@danielbell4007]

@@BradAngove turned out great by the way. I might do a burst this way. If/when I get a workspace up and running.

[@BBGuitars]

Super jealous of the skills! Looks great!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Brad. It just takes a little practice to do these.

[@Terry3Gs]

WOW, nice work Brad !!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Terry!

[@davedupuis2069]

Looks great Brad. You did a spectacular burst on this one

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Dave!

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Nice job, thanks for sharing.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Kenneth

[@Voartist]

For the colors did you use gloss or satin? Man I need to practice spraying the thin lines of paint. It looks great. Did you thin the color with the 50/33/17 formula? I used that for my clear coats and it sprayed and covered pefectly!

[@BradAngove]

It’s gloss. Satin has an additive in it that isn’t helpful for colors. I didn’t thin these at all. If I had it would have been about 20% lacquer thinner. These are spraying lacquers, not brushing, so no need to thin them using that formula.

[@Voartist]

@@BradAngove I understand. I know you can't thin the rattle can lacquer. And I was just adding that with the Watco gloss lacquer I could thin it with your formula, and that even though it's a brushing lacquer it sprayed very nicely from a gun. And I learned from you that satin lacquer doesn't do colors any good. But I did use Watco rattle can satin on the neck and it did (natural finish) and it looks very nice. A few days ago, a second luthier saw my kit build Tele and asked me where I got the (vintage-ish-looking) neck and he was surprised when I told him it was from a kit, not a vintage Tele. I thanked him for the unintended compliment as he thought it was a genuine Fender neck.

[@JNMAC666]

That is fantastic! Can’t wait to see it through.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks!

[@randybrown7023]

Show us how you clean the paint off the binding! That would be a great video.

[@BradAngove]

It’s coming, including a separate video on my favorite trick for that.

[@randybrown7023]

@@BradAngove Thanks Brad, looking forward to it.

[@KarlSheridan]

Stunning finish 👍🏼

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Karl

[@wjewell63]

Beautiful man !

[@BradAngove]

Thank you!

[@scottblair8625]

Looking awesome

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Scott

[@m.a.bushling]

looks great!

[@BradAngove]

Thank you

[@stu-j]

You know me I love nitrocellulose and the mini gun! I do a burst also the same way doing the darker colour first as I think you don't get the sharp edges doing it last. I'm finding it very hard to find a nice vintage mahogany cherry red as I've got my old SG to do after a heel snap! Looks absolutely fantastic mate and will look great all finished!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Stu

[@ricksigurdson2016]

Oxford heritage cherry red.

[@stu-j]

@@ricksigurdson2016 not in the uk

[@ricksigurdson2016]

Have you looked at aniline dye powders? Red mahogany and cherry mixed to make an appropriate shader to spray or wipe on.

[@stu-j]

@@ricksigurdson2016 I did have some I've had for years that was almost identical to what Gibson use but unfortunately the guy I bought it from does not make it anymore. For sure I can mix something to match but I'd rather have something on hand around the same colour that is just mix and spray. I know Stewart McDonald do a cherry so next time I'm over the pond I'll bring a few bottles back with me.

[@kevinking9199]

You're my go-to guru before each of my projects. For the newbie-with-a-gun viewers, it would be helpful if you cite the nozzle size on the gun you are using.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Kevin. This one was a 1mm.

[@kevinking9199]

​@@BradAngove Probably out of place with this question, but I am doing a Strat refin with a purple dye front and black burst edges, sides and back. Have brought to wood (mahogany), grain filled, sanded, and dyed the front. Next plan to seal entire body with shellac, then prime and paint the burst, sides and back with black. Clear will be SprayMax 2K. I'm trying to find rattle can black primer and rattle can black poly base coat that play well together, and won't break the bank (I have an hvlp setup, but it seems like overkill and to get primer, hardener, base and reducer is pricey). I've read enough comments to shy away from anything from a big box store and expect to buy at an automotive store. Any rattle can brand suggestions which work well together?

[@kevinking9199]

Maybe I should have asked what primer/paint plays well UNDER SprayMax 2K for maximum resistance to chips? DupliColor base coat is lacquer, for example, and I immediately think: BAD.

[@BradAngove]

Hi Kevin, if you’re already sealing with shellac you don’t need a primer. If you’re finishing off with 2K I would suggest a simple acrylic black spray, which will play well with the sealer and the 2K. Anything from Montana Gold to rustoleum painters touch should work.

[@kevinking9199]

@@BradAngove Thank you thank you thank you. Just ordered Createx Wicked Opaque Jet Black, which I will run through the gun. About $25, which is about the same as the SprayMax 2K!