How to Paint Graphics on a Guitar

Customize your guitar with graphics.

You don't need to strip your guitar to paint graphics on it. You can just tape off the pickups, hardware and neck, lightly sand the face and begin planning your graphics. Download templates or designs, cut them out and transfer the design to the guitar body. Spray paint over the design, remove the template and finish by adding a clear coat of lacquer to seal and permanently bond the graphics to the guitar body. Get creative, and in one afternoon, you can create a masterpiece on your guitar body.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Template of graphic
• Scissors
• Phillips screwdriver
• 400-grit sandpaper
• Masking tape
• Aerosol tinted lacquer
• Aerosol clear lacquer
• Bronze wool, fine

1. Get the lacquer and the graphics. Turn on your computer and order the lacquer from a reputable guitar supply company like Stewart-MacDonald. Download graphics of your choice and print them out on white paper. Cut the graphics out with scissors.

2. Lay the guitar out on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area. Take off the strings. Using the Phillips screwdriver take off the pickguard. Pull off the volume and control knobs. Tape over the pickups, bridge, tailpiece and any metal hardware that is exposed. Tape over the neck.

3. Sand the exposed surface of the guitar lightly with 400-grit sandpaper. Lay your graphics out on the guitar body. Position them where you want. Make sure everything fits. Tape the graphic template to the guitar body, making sure that it is tight against the guitar body.

4. Spray over the graphic template and guitar body with the tinted lacquer. Wait 15 minutes and spray it again. Wait 24 hours for the paint to dry. Remove the graphic template.

5. Lightly sand the guitar body and graphic design with 400-grit sandpaper. Spray the guitar body and over the graphic with clear lacquer. Wait 15 minutes. Spray again. Wait 24 hours.

6. Wipe along the edge of the guitar with fine bronze wool to remove any residual over-spray. Remove the tape from the pickups, neck and hardware. Put the control knobs back on and the pickgaurd. Put new strings on.

Tips & Warnings

• There's no need to spray the back of the guitar unless you put graphics there. Bronze wool can be found at home improvement or hardware stores.

• Always wear breathing and eye protection when working with paint.

References

• Noah James: Paint and Finish
• Showpaint: How to Custom Paint a Guitar
• Stewart MacDonald: Finishing Supplies