How to Make a Decoupage Guitar

Use a guitar you no longer want to play for this project.

Strum to a new beat by making a decoupage guitar. Decoupage dates back to 12th century China, where paper cutouts were used to decorate windows and lanterns, according to the National Guild of Decoupeurs. By the 18th century, the art of cutting and pasting drawings on paper onto decorative items, such as hatboxes and furniture, was all the rage. Today you can decorate with this technique using any type of paper, scraps or even a deck of cards onto larger objects, such as a guitar.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Wood putty
• Decorative paper
• Scissors
• Decoupage glue
• Small bowl
• Fine paintbrush

Instructions

1. Sand all over your guitar's body or wood area with fine grit sandpaper to prepare it for the project. Move the sandpaper in circular motions. The decoupage sticks better to wood without the varnish. If the guitar has any deep cracks, fill them in with wood putty.

2. 

   Cut out pictures or use the paper for its color.

   Cut up decorative paper for your craft with scissors. Repurpose magazines, newspapers, photocopies, gift wrap and drawings for your project. Cut out the images or tear them by hand. Sketch out a general plan for where you want to place the papers on the guitar.

3. Pour approximately 1/8 cup of decoupage glue into a small bowl. Decoupage glue is an adhesive and a varnish. If you do not have this type of glue, add a small amount of water to craft glue.

4. Dip a fine paintbrush into your glue. Brush the first paper you wish to use and then press it onto your guitar. Start with one side and work your way over the entire instrument. Brush more decoupage glue over the paper on the guitar to help squeeze out any air bubbles.

5. Brush more glue onto paper and press it onto the guitar. The paper is used like a collage and more paper can be glued over the first layer. Cover the guitar's body and allow it to dry completely.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use craft glue for the project, you can add a coat of varnish after you finish.

• Paint the guitar first with latex paint to prime it or brush on colorful paint so it shows up underneath the paper.

• The entire guitar does not need to be filled. You can add a few pieces of paper as an added decoration.

References

• National Guild of Decoupeurs: A Bit of History