Pedal Enclosure Finishing: Surface Prep, Priming and Painting

[@rowandg]

Thanks so much, still helping me out after all these years!

[@miikanieminen6514]

This series of finishing DIY pedals is such a powerful set, Ive watched it so many times when learning to prepare my own pedals 💪

[@johnplanetz]

That's great to hear! Thanks for the feedback

[@eesparra]

I don't have any idea what a pedal is or what it does (I'm painting motorcycle parts) but the prep, materials advise and painting technique fully apply to my project. Great video! Thank you!

[@johnplanetz]

These pedals are for guitar sound processing. Cool that you're finding similarities with your motorcycle project!

[@beauisrael9724]

instablaster

[@LukeSniper]

I remember watching your video comparing capacitors years and years ago. Now I stumble into this one as I'm finishing up some junction boxes I want to dress up!

[@kutuplukondansator2662]

Thanks for great tutorial! You really help me to build my own stompboxes and make them look good.

[@GrayXIII]

Great video. I was impressed with how easy to understand this was. Nice work!

[@HASTN]

A trick for bringing down the raised area where you put down the labels, where the clear coat is a little more raised, is to sand back some of the finish until it is flush, then you can hit it with another even coat of your clear. I recommend using a straight sanding block and starting with some 400-600 grit so you don't remove too much product. Remember, do a few passes, and check often.

[@clumsybernard]

I've been stalking this channel for some time now and just wanted to say I love the videos. Lots of interesting projects with clear, concise commentary and good editing. If I didn't know better I would guess you were either a scientist or an engineer, John?

[@Deathlycream]

All I have to say is: Thank you. Really.

[@mikmc]

Ive learnt a lot from this, thanks a lot!

[@samspedalcave3836]

Nice tutorial !

[@jothanankrogh]

Please note that there's a wide variation among these clear coats in how hard they get, and how long they take to harden. When you're going as thick as 5-6 coats they take forever to harden up. You will see evidence of this in that for days or even weeks you can still see a fingerprint impression on the surface when you press on it, as the clearcoat is still flexible. I do a glitter finish on some pedals where the thicker the clearcoat on top is, the better it looks. Even when using automotive 2k catalysed finishes with compressor and spraygun, they still seem soft after weeks and I will not go beyond two heavy coats. My advice with clearcoats, less is more. Unless you particularly need to have a thick enough layer for glitter flake metallics or to hide decal edges etc. don't give yourself a headache with a thick slow drying squishy coat, keep it 1 or 2 med coats which harden up quicker and have a nice fast assembly time.

[@2cool4u24]

Hey. I really find your videos helpful.

[@davidrourkemusic]

Hi John, thanks for your great videos! Does waterslide decal paper go well on a spray painted surface?

[@bassmanbig]

Great Video!! very thorough and helpful.

[@Slownoisedubs]

Fantastic, really useful. Thanks for posting, now I know where I went wrong :) I will start again.

[@tonecontrol]

You are my hero man, do you take orders for custom pedals?

[@1959twa]

When you print your artwork how do you create neat holes where pots will go. (Pre drilled before artwork)

[@nigelderksen]

great video

[@guidokritz]

Thanks for this video! It's really useful. Just one question: how long you have to wait between you apply the last spray of primer and you start with the paint? Thanks!

[@2cool4u24]

Sorry. I forgot to finish my sentence.. How long do you recommend I spray on clear coat after applying the colored paint coats?

[@freak77007]

do you have tips for making footswitch?

[@miguelpessanha]

Hey John, What does the steel wool do in this case? Why does finer sandpaper like 80 or 100 work better for a natural finish? I'm planning on doing a klon and leaving it as a natural finish. Thanks! Miguel

[@johnplanetz]

Steel wool just gives it s smooth polished look. 80 and 100 sand paper are quite coarse. Best thing is to just try it yourself, progressively changing to finer grits and stop when you like the look of it.

[@mrmetalmovies69]

I'm looking to spray one of my Effects pedals that has already got work done on it it's the Digitech Death metal pedal and looking to spray it white and blood splat it how would i go about doing that?

[@jerseyhomeguy]

Thanks for this video!

[@jorgepeterbarton]

Do you need finished aluminium or can you waterslide straight on an unfinished pedal? can you clear coat in krylon you used in the waterslide video if that's needed?

[@johnplanetz]

I've never tried applying the waterslide to an unfinished pedal, but I assume it would work fine. In any case, yes, you will certainly need some kind of clear coat to protect the decal.

[@freak77007]

yes, just for channeling between the 'hard' and 'clean' channel on my amp

[@rehtrem]

montana gold spray paint will give you a better uality finish. its ten dollars a can but lost alot longer and they come in various pressures. the color choices are also alot more pleasing to the artistic palette

[@Davesintexas]

Nice work,..

[@freak77007]

awesome after exams first thing i do ;)

[@rokinrandy]

Ink Jet Printer ??? Not a laser?

[@rowandg]

Waterslide needs ink I think

[@rehtrem]

the only reason it is worth it to me is because i use spray paint from beginning to end of my finishing process, next time i make a pedal i will send you a few pictures of my finishes if you like so you can see what i mean.

[@MAYLOSZYARR]

My acryllic paint little stink.