S2E4: Telecaster Build 3 - Painting

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In this third episode of our guitar kit building mini series, we will be prepping the guitar body for paint, doing the painting itself, then finishing it off with a sanding process that will prepare it for the next phase (decals!).
Overall, preparing a guitar kit body for painting largely depends on the kit you buy in the first place. Some companies do more or less when it comes to sanding/finishing, as well as different types of wood can be easier/harder to prepare. In my case, the guitar kit I chose had a simple, unfinished body that was only preliminarily sanded. I had to go over the entire thing with progressively finer sand paper, until I ended up at 400 grit, before I began painting.
Since I don’t have access to high-end paint sprayers, I decided to just use spray paint cans that I picked up at a hardware store. Although pretty basic, using spray cans can still give you amazing results if you do the right sanding steps afterward. I started with a couple coats of a flat white primer because I knew that would help the color coat (a gorgeous, retro shade of blue…) stand out the best.
Anytime you try painting a guitar this way, you’re definitely going to need to let it DRY thoroughly. Even spray paint can stay tacky for days after you apply it, especially if you put on multiple coats, and nothing hinders the final sanding process more than paint that isn’t completely dry!
Finally, I’ll also talk you through some of the mistakes I made during the painting process. The most important thing I learned was that I should have used a grain filler on the guitar kit body FIRST, to evenly fill and smooth all the small voids that naturally occur in pieces of wood. If I had, I would have saved myself a few hours of additional sanding and even a week of drying time (from an avoidable second color coat…). In any case, building a guitar from a kit certainly offers you the option of controlling exactly what the body ends up looking like. As always, play on my friends, play on!
Equipment I used to make this video:
Garage Band (audio recording):
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Shotcut (video editing):
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Line 6 Helix (for audio recording interface and amp/effect modeling):
line6.com/
iPhone (for video recording):
www.apple.com/

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Want to check out the items from this video?? Here are some affiliate links: Rustoleum 2X Spray Paint - amzn.to/3gsavtJ Rustoleum 2X Gloss spray - amzn.to/3LkcI8z Painter's tape (blue) - amzn.to/3ryO3pd

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

Here lately I've just been spray painting sanded raw bodies with no sealer or primer. I seal them with lacquer. It allows the grain to show through but still retains the color similar to staining. It feels grainy. Relics real easy that way. Players are loving it and buying them especially with super light bodies. Not your shiny smooth boat anchors.

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Glad to hear you have a method that work for you!

[@dannywoody5497]

Thank you so much for your explanation of all the mistakes was a giant help

[@TheHobbyMusician]

It’s my pleasure! I’m just glad that all the wrong stuff I did could help someone else avoid my mistakes 😊. Thanks so much for watching!!

[@jeffrowlette]

Subscribed 👍

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Thank you so much!!

[@jeffrowlette]

@@TheHobbyMusician Absolutely, your channel is great!

[@jeffrowlette]

@@TheHobbyMusician I would love a video on adding Stratocaster contours to a Telecaster body?!!!

[@TheHobbyMusician]

@@jeffrowlette I know what you mean! Telecasters are great but sometimes they get pretty uncomfortable! I don't know if this is exactly what you're thinking of, but I tried a little bit of carving on this build (to get that "belly cut" on the back of this body...) in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eomrmqelZ7Fpgbc. Check it out and let me know what you think!!

[@jeffrowlette]

@TheHobbyMusician Actually that's perfect! Thank you!!!!

[@ernestshum1551]

Thanks for sharing “lessons learnt” Greetings from 🇦🇺

[@TheHobbyMusician]

It’s my pleasure, and I’ve always found I tend to learn more from my mistakes than anything else😆. And cheers from around the world!!

[@funnelbeaker9839]

👍

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Thank you so much!!

[@amirgad4635]

Nice! Did you experience any problems with tackiness using the 2X, or should I ask, how long did it take to fully dry?

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Good question!! Personally, I didn’t have any tackiness when I’ve done this. After the initial ten minutes when I pull them out of my ears and pull the buds out of the plugs, I only need to let them dry the rest of the way overnight. They’re usually fully cured that next day!! Hope that helps!!

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Whoops!!! I replied to the wrong comment in my list!! For these paint jobs, I always waited a full week before I came back to them with any sanding or anything like that. When I’m done painting I let them sit for an hour outside then, move them in to sit for the week. I’ve found that’s generally long enough to get them fully cured. (Sorry again for the mixed up reply originally!!)

[@MikeHenrick1]

How can you spray outside with dust and bugs etc. I’ve sprayed in a spray booth, never like this, makes me wonder what you do with flies etc.

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Occasionally, there can be a fly/bug land on it, but honestly, just by waiting for good weather (low wind/dust/bugs/etc.) you really can get a great result. It’s a great DIY option for anyone who doesn’t have access to a booth like you mentioned…I’d love to have that, but in a pinch, this can still work! Thanks for watching!!

[@kennyburg5882]

Clear gloss needs sanding also

[@TheHobbyMusician]

You’re absolutely right! Progressively working up to wet sanding with 2000/2500 grit will give a great shine after the clear coat. Thanks for sharing!!

[@wyattsdad8561]

That type of paint is not good. I used it when I reconditioned an old bench vise from the 60’s. I used the same brand or series of primer too. That paint comes off with moisture. My vise got some raindrops on it and I noticed the paint bubbled where the water had hit it. I will NEVER use that series of rustoleum paint again.

[@TheHobbyMusician]

So sorry that happened to you! In cases like this, when there’s less chance of moisture, I’ve had good luck. Sorry again!

[@DeeTee79]

I’ve never had a problem with rustoleum paint on guitars. It works great if it’s used properly.

[@wyattsdad8561]

@@DeeTee79 it’s this particular series of rust o leaum paint. With the paint and primer in one

[@wyattsdad8561]

@@DeeTee79 even the rattle cans that have the “2X” on them? That 2X type are a paint and primer all in one. It’s sh!t paint.

[@DeeTee79]

I always use these cans and I always use at least two for each guitar. Under the right conditions, I’ve never had a problem.

[@JoshuaBaker-eg6sm]

So really u don't know what the f*ck ur doing either 😂

[@TheHobbyMusician]

Yep, trial and error my friend, trial and error! (Sometimes more error than trial, but that’s how we learn, right?)