Make Your Own Conductive Shielding Paint

[@carlosclaptrix]

I love these homemade versions of overprized things.

[@torejohansen908]

I mix graphite powder with regular white carpenters glue, works fine.

[@kbuss10]

can i use orange paint for example?

[@MrSeven-ii3vp]

@@kbuss10 Nope

[@GosselinCreative]

Fantastic tip, Chris! Now I have a use for all that leftover graphite from my sons' Pinewood Derby days.

[@geeeemn5010]

Excellent video. It works! Just make sure to add enough graphite. And, wait until the paint is thoroughly dry before checking continuity. If the paint is still wet or moist, your multi-meter will show it as an open line (no reading). 2 coats gave me excellent continuity.

[@crackedfingerz]

Thank you so much for this video. I've already spent way too much money on my SG bass restoration. This saves us all a few bucks. I will be sure to check out more of your videos in the future.

[@u.s.a.198]

You are awesome.. today I was shopping for this paint and saying "these prices are crazy"... for a 1/2 pint $60... just ordered everything from amazon for $10... Thank you!

[@coultermason5617]

I can’t believe I didn’t think of this. Thank you for your genius

[@benjaminstiles8310]

Mate top video. I'm a sparky and my primary concern of purchasing was not knowing the quality prior to applying it. Now I can mix up to ensure it going to do it's job. Also, cost benefits speak volumes

[@RobMods]

I've made this before but with PVA and a little water. It works ok, but I still prefer copper tape for electronics cavities because you can solder to it, and you don't have to solder to pot casings. However, this is excellent for earthing pickup polepieces because copper tape loses its contact over time. Oh, and you'll cook the LED if the resistance is too low so be careful.

[@PastelComGini]

Also, conductivity will be a lot better with copper. IDK if it makes a difference for shielding, but hey, copper tape is easy too.

[@Usernameisvalid8968]

Great MacGyver tip for the connectivity with the 9v battery.

[@ian2armannduccio]

If you connect a 9V battery directly to an led it will blow immediately. It's the resistance of the paint strip that protects the led from overcurrent. For rfi shielding, a bit of resistance doesn't matter, but why not mix the paint a few different ways and measure the resistance with an ohm meter? If you're looking for lowest resistance then mix it accordingly. Also, is the cavity cover coated too? Also, is the paint layer earthed (grounded)? If not, it won't have any effect. Also, I see a lot of cheap guitars that use conductive paint for shielding. They would not use it unless it was cheap. So, if Stewmac are charging a lot of money for it, they're ripping you off. Extend that thought to everything they sell, and you can start to understand how overpriced they are.

[@void870]

Shielding paint is expensive, no matter where you get it, though with a caveat. Manufacturer's save money by buying the paint in bulk, whereas an independent builder will only need one or two cans. Most boutique builders, like James Tyler Guitars or Suhr, will use shielding paint for the cavity and copper tape for the cavity cover, with some paint on an upward facing point to make contact with the two. (I shielded a couple hundred bodies at James Tyler lol) As for whether to ground the paint, it's not necessary, but you can have an extra ground wire screwed directly to it. It's not necessary at all though, because the electronic components will be making direct contact to it anyway.

[@peadookie]

@@void870 can confirm - recently bought a Mike Lull bass and it’s the quietest bass I own (including several other $$$ boutiques). Entire cavity is covered in shielding paint.

[@jameshenz1780]

I get app 2 k ohm resistance. Does that sound about right? Measuring from top of pot (ground) and touching paint. ty!!

[@rohankhemraj]

What!!! I can't believe it's that simple. What an amazing tip. Thanks.

[@theorncampbell4432]

You're channel never disappoints! Great content that's always delivered in a straightforward and informative way. Cheers!

[@DayRider76]

This is great, I think I'll play around with this and some sheet copper on my next build. On my last build, I used silver foil tape, I shielded everything, event the wire channels. It turned out so good, It tamed even the noisiest amps!

[@jameshenz1780]

Ty!! I get app 2 k ohm resistance. Does that sound about right? Measuring from top of pot to cavity paint.

[@feltingme]

Thank you. Most EMF shielding paints have graphite and carbon (activated charcoal?), so this should work. We could use fabric paint and make ourselves much cheaper canopy than ready ones, that sell for thousands of dollars.

[@BenjaminFranceMusic]

That’s awesome Chris! Not sure how I missed this when it premiered, but I’m saving it now!!

[@marcusnielsen]

I am wondering about the resistance, if it matters? I did a thorough test with different mixtures of paint/graphite. Painted equally large squares and measured from diagonal corners. Your mix of paint/graphite showed 1600 ohms (one layer of paint). It had connectivity with the battery-LED-test. Next I mixed different ratios of paint/graphite until I had 1 part paint mixed with two parts graphite (volume). The resistance was then 200 ohms. Then I tested with one layer of StewMac's shielding paint. It showed 10 ohms! So... does this matter to the shielding efficiency?

[@meadish]

Much appreciated! :-) So, 3 teaspoons of graphite powder to 30 ml of acrylic water based crafts paint.

[@joewg3]

Yet another awesome tip! I was planning on buying shielding paint for my next build rather than deal with the copper tape hassle.

[@buildingintheburbs5175]

Great tip! Shielding tape can be so finicky and you have to make sure to get conductive adhesive. This is so much simpler. This combined with proper grounding (often a cause of electrical buzz blamed on lack of shielding) would work great!

[@normladuke8462]

Great idea...as a modded, and guitar tech...this is fantastic! I’m gonna try this, ASAP! Thanks

[@harcourtmudd]

I did that a couple of years ago and used water based polyurethane tinted with craft paint.. I did a bunch of testing on ratios and checked not just continuity but also resistance. I still like copper foil with conductive adhesive. More work but its a better shield. MUCH better shield. Some of the import Chicom guitars that are "shielded" with black paint aren't conductive and are slopped in the hole. Not sure they are hiding rough wood work or giving the impression of shielding. If you want it to shield properly you need to make sure its grounded. Shielding can also cause a short... I had one that the input jack with the plug inserted moved just enough to touch... Positive to ground....

[@HighlineGuitars]

As I said in the video, paint is the easiest way to shield a guitar cavity. IMO the BEST way to shield the electronics is to use shielded single conductor wire for all of the positive signal connections. As long as the signal wire and components are connected properly to the jack's ground terminal, there is no noise at all.

[@homemovies751]

@@HighlineGuitars On a new humbucker I was replacing, the positive signal wire was too short. So, the manufacturer solders on a longer NON-shielded wire (don't remember if it was a single conductor). Is there something I can wrap that wire with for about 3 inches? I don''t think anyone sells shielded single conductor wire less than 6 inches long LOL.

[@vw9659]

Nice. Next guitar you add this to, can you record the noise level before and after ?

[@martindebiase25]

Great....simple great !!!! Hi from Temperley Argentina, you are a excelent teacher.

[@caseyharris4013]

Will any graphite powder work?

[@Ben_the_Ignorant]

Like other commenters said, thanks a lot! I tried a couple times with aluminum foil but it didn't work, maybe because aluminum just bounces electromagnetic waves around without absorbing them. Anyway, this cheap and easy do-it-yourself solution is very inspiring, thanks.

[@samTollefson]

Just wondering~~what is sold as magnetic paint has iron particles in it so that after a few coats a magnet will stick to it, I wonder if it would work for shielding.

[@ATthemusician]

as long as it is a decent conductor it will work. Iron is a good conductor.

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks for sharing this with me on Facebook. Much appreciated.

[@denismorozov6494]

Best advice ever! Thank you!

[@Bob_at_OZDiggzguitars]

HA! I told TexasToastMatt that this was the nicest looking formula (some guys use Hide Glue substrate, too). Why pay so much online with those that shall remain unnamed? Highline Guitars got my back :) Thanks for this video.

[@theanarcho-luthierist2882]

graphite is sold as dry lubricant for locks at auto parts stores - its worth noting that some lutherie supply places online sell little jars of conductive paint for single jobs that arent too expensive - i've also used aluminum HVAC tape - its a cheap alternative to copper tape

[@WillVRam]

2:10 did you used something after the brush? The final is so smooth

[@HighlineGuitars]

Nope. It dried that way.

[@WillVRam]

@@HighlineGuitars amazing work. Congratz

[@Halenrocks5150]

Genius idea and great explanation!!!!!

[@jamesrodriguez3599]

Quick question to anyone with an answer. Will the paint method work for the back of pickguards or should I still use tape for that?

[@TimJameson-jg8sl]

Tape

[@archguitars]

Thanks, Chris! But, what about the resistance? If the resistance too big (let say more than 500 ohm per-square inch) it doesnt work well for blocking any EM or RF interference.

[@Jmpguitars]

It's not good enough. Resistance is much higher, and it's not actually conductive. With some carbon added it might be.

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

I've never heard this one before. Great tip.

[@andrewm8831]

Good to see more people taking on the idea of emf shielding i have applied this to my car using ferrite rings and crystals even using a solid core copper cable can be quite effective

[@themodernguitarist]

Would adding copper powder (same stuff use for resin crafting) be overkill for this? Or would Graphite alone be good enough?

[@HighlineGuitars]

The only way to know would be to test.

[@juanjobravo4476]

the power of the DIY!!! thanks a lot!

[@derekjesse2582]

You are a life saver

[@ChrisFranklyn]

Cheap, easy and with a very classy looking result!

[@Ragnarok-987]

This is fantastic! Thank you!

[@cincinattiblues]

Good Tip Chris, Love your work. Cheers

[@bullfrogpondshop3179]

Great tip! Just an FYI: if you don't get the polarity on the battery and the LED right, the LED will not light no matter how conductive your paint is. So try switching the polarity on one or the other adding more graphite.

[@lorencing]

Nice demo, but is this shielding paint as effective as copper foil?

[@Jesrockr]

I think you could be on to something... Look up Y Shield paint. Incredibly expensive product... designed to reflect/attenuate EMFs in your home... and I'm guessing it would be pretty simple and CHEAP to come up with your own version that is also effective at blocking some EMF frequencies. For example just mix any brand of house paint with graphite lubricant. Do you think this would work and even be worth it to attempt?

[@adamhorn6392]

I've been looking into this... I read a study on conductive ink (not sure how acrylic paint might differ), and optimal conductivity was found at 29.4% carbon by mass, with a 2.6 to 1 ratio of graphite to carbon black. When using less total carbon (21.7% by mass -- I guess try that if you can't get it to flow or bind right), the ratio was 1.8 to 1. Same basic ingredients as Y Shield, but I have no idea if they do something special to make it all bind, flow, and stay conductive. Hopefully it's just that simple... It looks like smaller sized particles are more conductive for both graphite and carbon black, so maybe the nano graphite from graphitestore.com is worth using. I'm trying to get up the nerve to do a smaller test run and how if it works.

[@Jesrockr]

@@adamhorn6392 CERTAINLY WORTH TRYING. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN HANGING ALUMINUM INSECT SCREEN (EFFECTIVE / NOT VISUALLY-APPEALING) ALL OVER HIS CONDO IN AN ATTEMPT TO THWART HIS NEIGHBOR'S PESKY WIFI SIGNALS, A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE TO Y-SHIELD WOULD SEEM LIKE A GREAT NEXT STEP. I THINK THAT PRODUCT IS OVERPRICED IF SO. I MIGHT ACTUALLY TRY THIS, THANKS FOR THE INFO ON RATIOS!!!

[@rebeccagreen7241]

@@Jesrockr What size screening do you need to block RF/WiFi signals? I've looked and looked and haven't been able to find the answer (miss you, net neutrality! 😭). If you know I'll be quite happy 🙂

[@Jesrockr]

@@rebeccagreen7241 ​ Rebecca i'm using Phiser brand aluminum insect screening bought in 6' rolls from Home Depot. You don't even need full coverage of a room, as long as you install on the walls in between you and the source. I did two sides of my bedroom (townhouse, adjacent neighbors using WIFI) 2 layers thick GROUNDED to the earth outside, and reduced the average reading from about 4 down to consistently

[@Jesrockr]

if this costs too much you can also use Reynolds wrap, however that is much more unsightly and harder to work with. Probably half the price, and I did do a wall with that at one point so I know that it works very well. Just an eyesore and a hassle, but more budget friendly for sure.

[@hunagirl6]

Could you paint that on a metal bed frame to shield from EMF while in the bed?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I think you should paint the entire room with it. In case you sleep walk. Better yet, paint the entire interior of where you live.

[@shawnsosa1159]

How should you store any excess you may have leftover?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I try to mix up just enough for the job. If I have any left over, I throw it out as it doesn't keep very well.

[@nicolashrv]

Take that, $72 paint by Stewmac!

[@fredrezfield1629]

i bet you didn't even try this this is sh-t it doesn't work

[@MG-vo7is]

Wow! Thank you!

[@Jmpguitars]

This method is probably an okay alternative to shielding paint, but it's not conductive. Conductivity requires exceptionally low or 0 ohm resistance. However, if you measure this method with a multimeter, resistance ranges from around 6k ohms to 30k ohms. My measurements were after 3 coats, and 2 days drying time in my test - with a 2:1.15 paint to powder ratio. In your video you state 1oz paint, 3 teaspoons of powder. 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon = 0.5oz, so your ratio was slightly lower at 2:1 paint to powder. Perhaps adding charcoal would improve conductivity, but obviously testing would be needed. Typically an LED should have a resistor connected to protect it from the voltage source. In this case, the resistance from the shielding paint in your video provided the resistance. This might be an okay replacement for typical shielding paint, but it is not (yet?) a replacement for copper shielding tape where true conductance or continuity is needed.

[@ATthemusician]

graphite is a good conductor though..?

[@Jmpguitars]

@@ATthemusician Measurement doesn't lie. Graphite mixed in paint alone is not a good conductor. Not all graphite is conductive either. Conductance is the inverse of resistance, if you're reading any significant resistance, it's not conductive.

[@bobrobertsNotUrBob]

graphite and activated carbon is what people use to block emf in paints.

[@Jmpguitars]

@@bobrobertsNotUrBob That's the idea. Activated carbon is usually made from charcoal. I still haven't tried it because it doesn't beat copper tape, and I have plenty of that. I will try eventually out of curiosity.

[@lydian2012]

@@Jmpguitars Using higher % of graphite in powder, more layer will low impedance to

[@DigitalVG]

If it doesn't light up, you probably blew up the LED or connected it backwards. 9V is pretty hot for most LEDs and you might want to mention they're polarized.

[@gordonsteeves9950]

Thanks Chris, I never thought of this one. :)

[@kbuss10]

would pencil graphite ground to dust work? what about metal dust?

[@mikeivey8471]

Fabulous trick ! Thanks !

[@lonemarshall9876]

Just wondering, can this paint used for electroplating on plastic ? Like copper plating

[@crispysyd9190]

Awesome tip. Thank you very much!!!

[@andrewhargett3592]

Hi Chris, would you recommend using this paint for the bottom of a pickguard or control cavity cover too? Or does that need to be copper foil?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Sure. Wherever it will stick.

[@Superjet113]

Nice! Great video.

[@Thr3-Words]

How the hell can the paint be so expensive when it's this easy to make!? 😡 Thank you for this tutorial, this means I can afford to do this to my guitars

[@harcourtmudd]

Sometimes its just what they can get.. Some products like this are Mil Spec or certified. The paper trail is what costs then.

[@danielwatson7540]

It's a bit of a grift. A lot of guitar tools and accessories are rebranded as special for guitars. Gorgomyte is another perfect example. It's branded as a magic fret polisher, but it's the cheap ass lemon oil polishing cloths for your grandma's silverware. I bought a few sheets for about 3 euros, Gorgomyte is over 15 and it's the same stuff!

[@ATthemusician]

​@@harcourtmudd You know, I'm in the Navy and a senior chief once asked me if I knew what mil spec really meant. He said "it's the cheapest option the government will pay for". Mil spec pretty much means nothing.

[@JamesKruseArtist]

What a great idea!

[@salverejina4177]

This is so amazing...thank you so much.....

[@treadmillrepair754]

Thanks so Much.

[@Mr.Peach90]

Your awesome man

[@pooder53]

Can you mix Graphite Lubricant into white paint without it becoming discolored? If not, whats an alternative?

[@danmarlovsky1977]

this works in the walls?

[@pickleroot9642]

Short sharp and shiney

[@Moigle1]

Just because there's a circuit path through the paint, does not necessarily mean that it's effective for blocking EMF. I'd want to see a comparison test between this paint and something solid like copper tape.

[@TheRrgilm]

Wow Christ!, one more time thank you so much for the tip.

[@jesguitarist]

Very helpful! Thank You for sharing! :)

[@nigel900]

Interesting. 👍🏻

[@Maldoro]

Would a zinc rich paint work too?

[@stevesstrings5243]

Great information! Thanks!

[@mrfrontranger7911]

Chris .I bought 2 pounds of powdered graphite but never tested the binder options,and forgot about it, did you try waterbased sealers like crystal lac?

[@HighlineGuitars]

No just black water-based acrylic craft paint.

[@rickbarr6492]

Thanks for the insight

[@r.llynch4124]

makes it look pro imo

[@aesir9104]

A VERY GREAT TIP

[@kylemusick7244]

It's worth noting that electricity will only flow through an LED one way. If not connected correctly, it will never light up.

[@ZoomRmc]

Also, a regular LED wil quickly burn on 9v.

[@bsdnfraje]

Reversing polarity converts most LEDs into SEDs.

[@Bob_at_OZDiggzguitars]

@@bsdnfraje and running them on non-resisted (like 1k) 9v will make them DEDs hahahaha. obviously there is some resistance in the graphite, so...

[@Deebz270]

@@Bob_at_OZDiggzguitars - Some LED's incorporate a resistor in manufacture. But yeah, given the Vf of standard LED's is around 2-3v depending on spectral emission (colour) a resistor in series would be required to drop the 6 or so volts. For the ECP to work well as a screening agent though, it would require low resistivity, arrived at by the correct ratio of the conductive medium (graphite/metallic filings, copper dust etc...) to paint/lacquer, to achieve this.

[@kartikeyaattri2166]

Thanks man

[@paulvidovich7910]

THANK YOU CHRIS!!!!

[@bobrobertsNotUrBob]

Why would you not wire that to the grounding port in the guitar?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Because the control components (pots and switches) are connected to the ground port and they in turn are in contact with the shielding paint. If the components ground the shielding paint and a separate ground wire is connected to the shielding, a ground loop may form which defeats the purpose of shielding the cavity. Google ground loops.

[@bobrobertsNotUrBob]

@@HighlineGuitars ok thanks, I wasn't sure

[@TimJameson-jg8sl]

Badass!!!!

[@EvanFifesMusic]

You freaking king

[@kittenwithclaws5697]

Great tip. Thanks.

[@dr.crypto6891]

Slick! Cheers.

[@homemovies751]

I'm a newbie and have replaced two single-coil pickups on a guitar with humbuckers (because of the noise around computers, monitors, etc.) and now I get all kinds of hums and buzzing. So, I bought some unused copper shielding for the second attempt that I thought I would have to connect to ground somehow (I guess???). This looks much easier and better-looking. Do you have to connect this paint to the ground somehow???

[@HighlineGuitars]

Yes, you have to connect the paint surface to the ground in order for it to work properly. That happens automatically since the pots and switch are connected to ground and are in contact with the paint around the holes where they are installed.

[@homemovies751]

@@HighlineGuitars Thanks. Sure seems a lot easier this way. I'm starting to work on a kit guitar where the electronics are attached to the pick guard. Do you paint the pick guard too?

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@homemovies751 I use foil tape on the pickguard because the paint doesn't stick as well.

[@solilacio]

This video it's a mixture of diamond and gold.

[@beegeewhy]

I mixed 4 tsp. to 1 oz. paint, and a test with my meter showed no continuity......?

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

Brilliant

[@azlee101]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@juyanine]

THANK YOU

[@bm7760]

LEDs are phased. Might be worth mentioning.

[@thormelsted]

I must be doing something wrong. I can’t get any conductivity whatsoever, no matter the ratio. I used the exact products linked and have tried numerous times with various paint to powder ratios.

[@mrfender5001]

Same for me. I tried twice with 2 different type graphite powders but still won't give me a beep with my meter.

[@antoniomarra6513]

cool

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

apparently that powdered graphite isnt real graphite anymore, because its not conductive

[@HighlineGuitars]

Bummer.

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

@@HighlineGuitars I take it back it must be graphite, it has resistance on the meter but it won't beep for continuity

[@Sarklord]

WEG (you all know who he is) made a video years ago about that too....been using this trick for years now. commercially sold conductive paint is a bigger scam than printer ink :-D

[@tomgifford9417]

I tried this using the same paint and graphite and it was a complete waste of time; now i got some paint i don't need; fortunately i can still use the graphite better to put out the money for a commercially available shielding paint though it is costly.There is too many videos on you tube like this beware think first.

[@HighlineGuitars]

You probably did it wrong. That's okay. Many others have been successfull.

[@tucanman9775]

you get the smallest droplet on the wood its stained for life it went under the masking and stained the hell out of my guitar youse the tape

[@henrykrusak8593]

And people pay like a 100 bucks for a can pfff