howdy fellas

some might have read my earlier post where I was talking about painting one of my guitars as a try-out to find out if I can succeed.

I`ve now bought tons of spraylacquer (I don`t mind getting expensive special paint since its an old, lousy guitar), and I`m ready to begin practising at some pieces of wood and take of the old lacquer.

When I`m about to re-paint the guitar, should I mask up mics, knobs etc. or just take out everything? If the paintjob ends up good, I`ll probably spend some money re-newing everything. If it fails I have to do it again...so it might be easier taking everything out now ?

then to a more open question. I`ve not quite decided how to paint it. Since the only thing I have to make patterns with is masking tape, advanced stuff will be difficult. The classic VH look is ofcourse and option, but if I`m able to make circles, I`ve been thinking about something like the "rising sun" motive: http://thegrandnarrative.files.wordpress.c.../rising-sun.gif . I`m planning to colour it like a reverse macedonian flag, red sun and yellow background.

hit me with some ideas

Take the neck off (if it's not glued) and all the gadgets. When there's only wood you hang the guitar up by one of the neck plate screws and start painting. Mind no paint drops!

Aah, the idea of hanging it up has not struck my head

But how excatly do you mean I`m supposed to do it, unscrew them 10 mm...and just hang it there ?

heres some pics of when I painted my Ibanez..

http://img258.imageshack.us/i/l5b103cc8fff5faf8a3cdef.jpg/

http://img520.imageshack.us/i/picture112j.jpg/

http://img529.imageshack.us/i/picture032uhb.jpg/

http://img505.imageshack.us/i/picture023v.jpg/

http://img258.imageshack.us/i/unfinnished024.jpg/

http://img529.imageshack.us/i/picture021e.jpg/

Check out Reranch.com. They've got some great pointers on how to refinish a guitar.

1. Take everything apart.
2. Strip the old paint.
3. Seal with grain filler & sanding sealer.
4. apply color coat(s).
5. apply clear coats.
6. Sand with 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 grit sandpaper.
7. Polish with automotive swirl remover.

It takes patience, but you can get a good finish even with rattle cans.