Making a MONSTER: Tips to vinyl wrap your Guitar

What's going on KZbin. A while back, I had an idea to create a monster guitar that KIRK HAMMETT didn't. So I decided to try my hand at vinyl wrapping and figured I'd try to get a hold of a KH-202. As luck would have it, I found one on OfferUp for $120 and the rest is history. I hope this video helps you along with vinyl wrapping your guitar. I didn't use a Heat Gun on this project because honestly, I didn't think it was necessary. If you have stronger curves in the guitar shape, you made need one. Always be sure to wear eye protection and gloves when using a blade or exacto knife as well, always use caution. Lastly, I'm no pro at it but I figured I'd share some tips that I learned along the way. Thanks for Watching
Link to the Vinyl Wrap: www.SkinYourSkunk.com
Here are my Amazon Affiliate Links- I may earn commissions for purchases made through the links below:
Vinyl Wrap Kit: amzn.to/3F9eSVj
3M DesignLine Knifeless Tape: amzn.to/3F9eSVj
#LTDguitar #guitar #vinylwrap #KirkHammett #metallica #GuitarDIY #Guitarvinyl
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[@FretboardDiaries]

If you found this video helpful, please don't forget to Like and Subscribe here: bit.ly/3jmwWm8

[@LuisLondonG]

Would have been good to see what you are doing while you were talking

[@FretboardDiaries]

Yeah great point for sure! I’m gonna do another one of these wraps in the next few months and make another vid. I have additional cameras now and a better set up so I’ll be able to get better vantage points

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

NICE.. Thanks for sharing 🎸

[@FretboardDiaries]

Thanks for watching 🤘

[@martynrandall7652]

Great job mate, what stops the wrap peeling up around the edge of the guitar? How well does it stick? Dying to give it ago on an old guitar I got. Cheers

[@FretboardDiaries]

Thanks Man! As long as the vinyl is cut at the edge of the guitar and doesn’t hang over at all you should be fine… This is the second wrap I’ve done, the one in the link below was done like 3 years ago and still looks as good as the day I put it on. The vinyl itself is very strong and so far, pretty durable. I say go for it, just remember to take your time with it… Hope that helps, and here’s a short I did with the other guitar I wrapped 3 years ago. You can see it still looks good, best of luck 👍 Cleaning, Conditioning, and Stringing a Guitar 🤘🎸 kzbin.infoFimV29Lgi-w?feature=share

[@daviddoucet9599]

Hey just a quick question over the time did the edges of the wrap started to lift or it hold up well planning of doing it on my Harley benton te-20

[@FretboardDiaries]

So I did one guitar like 4 years, looks as good as the day I did it, and this guitar looks the same. The trick is to cut the vinyl right to the edge of the guitar, and not have any hanging over. If it’s over the edge, it may lift up… I also did the headstock on the other guitar as well and it’s been fine. No issues… Here’s the first one I wrapped: kzbin.infoFimV29Lgi-w?feature=share

[@mikes.4335]

Hello, great video! What kind of vinyl are you using? Was it laminated or non laminate? If non laminated, how it it holing up, or would you recommend doing different and either having a laminated film, or putting a coat of poly over the raw vinyl?

[@FretboardDiaries]

Hmm I’m not really sure if it’s laminated or not. I got it from a website called SkinYourSkunk.com. Perhaps shoot them an email and I’m sure they’ll answer you. What I can tell you is that the vinyl is EXTREMELY durable. I had a light stand fall on this guitar while I was filming a different video and it fell hard… It didn’t even leave a mark on the vinyl. So it’s definitely a high quality vinyl. Also, according to the website I got it from, you can clear coat these. I didn’t bother but apparently it can be done Hope this helps 🤘🎸

[@kenbevis981]

Hey, just wondered if you ever did the knifeless video? Cheers for this! Got a project coming up :)

[@FretboardDiaries]

You know man, I haven’t got around to it… I ordered the knifeless tape and have it here, just haven’t gotten to it yet. I’m planning to do it on a Jackson Kelly JS32 when I also do a pickup swap. Current video I’m working on is putting nylon strings on an Electric guitar… 😂 Always something different… 😂 Anyway, it’s on the list, but I’m about a month out from it. What is your project btw?

[@kenbevis981]

@@FretboardDiaries I'll keep an eye on your channel, just about to sub anyway. I've just bought an old B.C Rich Warlock (The cheaper kind) was like £129 used. Planning on filling the dings and upgrading pretty much all of the the hardware. It's a bit of fun with a shape that's not usually my style. I wanna see what I can do with it. It will be my drop tuning chugger, as I don't fancy the work with the floating trem of my Ibanez RG1070pbz, haha! The Warlock is the SlipKnot one that has HATE on the 12th fret marker. That thing is coming out and getting replaced for sure, haha. Not much of a fan! Thanks for the reply 👍

[@FretboardDiaries]

@@kenbevis981 Hey thanks man, I appreciate the sub… I have a BC Rich Trace WarBeast and it’s an absolute MONSTER… You should document your progress, you know, maybe start a KZbin channel… haha… I love watching stuff like that.. For what it’s worth, I absolutely love making videos for KZbin, mainly because, I love helping people. I’m basically trying to build a small community of people who like playing and modding guitars… Anyway, good luck with your restoration… Home Depot sells a two part wood filler called JB Weld Kwikwood, that has the texture of bubble gum. You mush it together to mix the two part, then break a piece off and fill your dings and dents with it. It sands really well and I’ve used it multiple times.. Makes fixings dents, cracks, and holes a breeze… Best of luck, and thanks for watching!

[@fdgruntpd0]

Looks awesome. I just bought one from that site as well. Question, can the vinyl be placed over all styles of pickups? I’m assuming no but just making sure. Thanks!

[@FretboardDiaries]

Thank you! As Far as the pickups go, the vinyl will really only work on pickups that have covers like these… I don’t know of a way uncovered pickups could be wrapped… With that said, the guitar in this video linked below was the first one I wrapped a few years ago. Notice I didn’t do the pickups on this one, and I still think it looks great… So try to pick a wrap that doesn’t have much design where the pickups are and you’ll be fine 👍 kzbin.infoFimV29Lgi-w?feature=share

[@NenaLavonne]

New subscriber:) Looks amazing!

[@FretboardDiaries]

Hey Thanks! I’m really happy with the way it came out… I’ve got like 5 projects going now, but when I get caught up, I’m gonna wrap an old Jackson Kelly next… Thanks for the sub and thanks for watching 🤘

[@NenaLavonne]

@@FretboardDiaries 🎸😊

[@jeremythompson9974]

there's a tape that has a very thin line of string embedded in it and you can place along the contours of the body first. The overly the back and front layers over the top of it. then you pull the string and it makes a very fine and unnoticeable cut and you don't risk cutting yourself or messing up the edges.

[@FretboardDiaries]

I did mention it in the video and left a link in the description… I haven’t tried it yet, although I’ve bought it and it’s been laying around now for a while. I’m gonna do another Vinyl wrap vid the moment I can snag a good OfferUp deal. Have you used this tape? If so, is it easy? Any advice?

[@tommytaylor622]

Can I add a finish on top of the vinyl? I was thinking of doing a guitar kit and I want one of the vinyl designs but I wanted to stay there for the entirety of the guitar. I don't have the ability to paint what I want.

[@FretboardDiaries]

I can tell you that on the last guitar I tried clear coating the vinyl wrap and the clear coat ended up peeling off… I have, however, been told that this can be done without issue… So what I would tell you to do, is contact whoever you buy the print from and ask them if there is a clear coat they recommend. I know others have done this with success… Hope this helps!

[@geriwires9358]

Great wrap. THAT was a classic movie 1954.

[@FretboardDiaries]

One of my absolute favorites!

[@jamiedilworth1322]

Hey man! Is it possible to wrap the black parts around the pickups? thanks

[@FretboardDiaries]

I’ll be honest with you and say that I think wrapping the pickup rings would tremendously difficult… I’ve seen where some folks have paid professionals to do it, and even then, it just looked okay, not great… What I may do next time, is take the rings off all together, mount the pickups to the body through the routes, and wrap over the guitar that way… That will of course be depended on how good the routes are cut haha… We’ll see, I’m going to do an old Jackson Kelly soon, just gotta find the time but I’m motivated to do a cool design with that guitar so we’ll see… I hate pickup rings anyway 😆

[@zvonimirspehar4450]

Great video! I have a question. What if I remove a neck pickup and try to cover up the hole with something.. would you be able to see the edges through the vinyl? Or is my plan going to work? I want to only leave a bridge pickup since I don't ever use neck. Thanks for reading!

[@FretboardDiaries]

Hmmm I’d be willing to bet you’d see a crease where the missing pickup would be… EMG makes a full ring/cover that would cover the entire cavity… It would look like there’s a pickup there though, but that might be the best option

[@zvonimirspehar4450]

@@FretboardDiaries Yeah, that's what I fear.. I think that maybe filling up that hole with a piece of a wood and then filling up the edges might do the trick. I'm in a really ambitious project :) Thanks for answering! Will definitely use your video for a tutorial!

[@FretboardDiaries]

Hey anytime man… Good luck with your project. I’d definitely say your best bet would be to level it off, I’ve done a different guitar where the pickups were removed and thinking back on it, you could definitely see the cavities with the wrap over it. Filling the cavity and leveling it off would be the way to go… Best of luck and thanks for watching 🤘🎸

[@zvonimirspehar4450]

@@FretboardDiaries Thank you for the kind words!! I'm super happy with the new look I'm going for. Bloodsplatter on white or black we'll see :)

[@FretboardDiaries]

Right on man, when it’s finished, make a short and tag me in the comments @FretboardDiaries 🤘🎸

[@T3mpest21]

Would it help to add a layer of coating to it to prevent long term damage?

[@FretboardDiaries]

Some people have clear-coated these and according to the website I got it from, they say you can… I live in a humid area and it’s hard to get canned-clear to dry or fully cure. Also, I’ve found this wrap to be quite durable, seeing as how I had a light stand fall on this guitar while filming another video, and it surprisingly didn’t scratch the wrap. And that light fell pretty hard 🤦‍♂️ 😂… Not to mention, if I ever want to change it to something different, I can… but yeah, you can definitely clear-coat these…

[@anomalous9448]

I’m gonna do this but use knifeless tape for the outside edges. It should be a cleaner cut.

[@FretboardDiaries]

We’ll see… I’m planning on doing this too, I’ve had the knife less tape for some time, I’m just looking for a good deal on a project guitar…. I’ve heard good things about the knife less tape though.

[@charlienagy2385]

I guess we have to spray clear coat (lacquer) on it to make it last longer, right ?

[@FretboardDiaries]

So, I’ve had this wrap since the vid, should be 2 years now, and I have another wrap that’s almost 5 years old, neither clear coated and both have held up remarkably well. I even had a light stand fall on this guitar while shooting another vid and I couldn’t believe it didn’t scratch the wrap (stand fell really hard 🤦‍♂️) According to the site I got the wrap, you can indeed clearcoat over these, although I haven’t. I suppose it would protect it more and make It permanent

[@charlienagy2385]

@@FretboardDiaries thank you sir

[@AzaelVI]

I understand how to skin the front and back but how about the sides of the guitar? Do you apply a strip of vinal around the sides and then overlap with the front and back sheets?

[@FretboardDiaries]

Honestly, I’ve never tried that… I’ve only ever done the front side of black guitars… That said, you’d definitely need a heat gun to make the wrap more pliable. I’ve wrapped car parts with steep rounded edges and the trick is to heat the wrap to make it roundable, but don’t stretch it… You can pull a little, but you don’t want to stretch. Best of luck man 🤘🎸

[@AzaelVI]

@FretboardDiaries Strange enough, I haven't seen anyone do a full body wrap on the KZbin videos. Thanks for the advice!

[@andreaviciconte4714]

What about the guitar sound? Doesn't the vinyl affect the vibration of the wood?

[@FretboardDiaries]

On an electric, no, it doesn’t affect the tone at all. On an acoustic, absolutely yes it does… So I don’t recommend doing it to an acoustic guitar but electric guitars are not unaffected by vinyl.

[@1peanut]

Is this Skin / vinyl removable without hurting original finish ?

[@FretboardDiaries]

Absolutely… But the trick is to be careful when cutting the decal while applying it. If you’re not careful with the scalpel/Razor, you can go through the decal and scratch the clear coat… That’s why I recommend trying this on a guitar you don’t care about first, or try the 3m wire cutter that I recommended… Any other questions just ask… Best of luck and Thanks for Watching!

[@1peanut]

@@FretboardDiaries I understand. Thanks

[@muaythaikid4706]

Can I use a right handed wrap on a left handed guitar? I couldn’t find any Kirk Hammett mummy left handed wrap to put on my kh 202

[@FretboardDiaries]

The design would either be upside down or the opposite direction… I know the SkinYourSkunk website does custom orders as well… I’m sure if you shoot them an email, they can print you one that would work on a left handed guitar… Hope that helps 🤘🎸

[@muaythaikid4706]

@@FretboardDiaries ok awesome. Thanks for the quick respond. Good video 👍🏼

[@kvitelman]

Is any shops in US or better NYS will do it for me ? I prefer to pay for it.

[@FretboardDiaries]

This site here does custom wraps, and I know one person who used them and was happy… I’ve never used them though, so I can’t speak from personal experience, but maybe ask around in some Facebook groups and see if anyone there has used them before… www.inzaneskins.com

[@liviofraschetti4713]

I have a neck thru guitar, same process?

[@FretboardDiaries]

Honestly, I’ve never done a neck thru, but I imagine it may be a bit more challenging because of how you would have to trim around the neck. Definitely doable, albeit a bit more tricky… Sorry I can’t be more assistance, but I’ve never done it myself. Best of luck and if you do one, let me know how it goes 👍

[@PlugThatChannelVDA]

You need a fretboard diaries 🎸

[@FretboardDiaries]

I need one that says, “Like and Subscribe” 😂 🤘🎸

[@PlugThatChannelVDA]

@@FretboardDiaries gave you another sub. Unfortunately i can't hit like buttons. I use that to get my participants more space on my playlist. If there's anything i can do to help, holler. Unwavering support for all.

[@FretboardDiaries]

Awesome man thanks! I appreciate the support!!! And thanks for watching 🤘🎸

[@PlugThatChannelVDA]

@@FretboardDiaries you bet man! Part of the job really. If you're ever interest in doing a plug let me know. I try to help boost those who I believe are just undervalued. Its kind of like doing a commercial for KZbin. Keep up the good work man. Can really see the progress over time and hope you carry that sense of pride in where you have made it.

[@FretboardDiaries]

@@PlugThatChannelVDA Will do man, appreciate the comments and kind words… It’s been a slow but fun ride and I find it rewarding to help people. I subbed your channel and I’ll check out some of your videos later. Thanks again

[@hollierthanthou83]

Does having the vinyl on the pickups effect the sound at all?

[@FretboardDiaries]

Nah no more than the plastic covers over the pickups… One piece of advice I would give you though, would be if you have any desire to swap your pickups, do it before you wrap the guitar… I wish I had dropped EMG’s in before doing this… Best of luck 🤘🎸

[@hollierthanthou83]

@@FretboardDiaries I think it would still look fine if you swapped in the EMG's without the vinyl on them

[@FretboardDiaries]

@@hollierthanthou83 Yeah it probably would, the other guitar I wrapped doesn’t have the pickups wrapped and it looks great so maybe at some point I will

[@jyotishkakarmakar6473]

Can we wrap the guitar without heat gun?

[@FretboardDiaries]

Depends… If you’re just wrapping the front of the guitar, like I did in this video, a heat gun isn’t necessary… I’ve done two guitars without it. That said, if you plan on wrapping the entire body all the way around, you’ll need a heat gun to make the wrap more pliable… Lastly, if you don’t have a heat gun, a hair dryer can work as a substitute in a pinch…. hope this helps 🤘🎸

[@zazaza4116]

Could I wrap the neck in the same manner?

[@FretboardDiaries]

I suppose you could wrap the neck, but I’m not sure how the vinyl would wear with playing on it, not to mention how it would feel (probably tacky)… The headstock you can absolutely do and I’ve done it on another guitar. That is actually pretty easy

[@zazaza4116]

@@FretboardDiaries Thanks for the reply! I would like to paint the neck but I lack the skills so I suppose wrapping would be the next best option.

[@FretboardDiaries]

@zazaza4116 well, you could always buy a cheap roll of vinyl from Amazon and try it… You can get cheap rolls of car vinyl for $15-20… Try it and see how it comes out, and if you like the feel, do it with a nicer vinyl. If it doesn’t work out, you’re only out $20 and your time… Personally, I don’t think it will work out well. You’ll have a small ridge where the vinyl will meet the fretboard, and I don’t know how well it would hold up in the long run. Plus gloss will be tacky, so I’d consider using a matte finish…

[@zazaza4116]

@@FretboardDiaries Yeah I was thinking the same about gloss.. I might try the cheaper matte wrap.

[@Great-Documentaries]

Easy. That is, it's easy when you choose to install over the flat surface of a guitar that has a flat surface. Let's see you go around the horns and over the side with wrap, like the rest of us want to do.

[@FretboardDiaries]

Liked your own comment 😂 ☠️

[@HumbleHeartMinistry]

Sorry but the black guitar looked much better before you wrapped it with that movie poster!

[@404lux]

guitar

[@mertkayacan7144]

Hairdryer it works

[@FretboardDiaries]

Absolutely! That’s what I used for projects before I got my heat gun…

[@TelipatiEvolustions]

show how that work bro . dont showing your face .. I cant paid it ! ..