Blacking out exposed Telecaster pickup routs....

[peter.k]

As my Tele build will have the exposed pickups, I dont want to leave bare timber in the rout area (swamp ash).

Is there the right way to paint them black or my way :tard:

Everything from permanent marker, spray can, brush paint etc has crossed my mind.

Do I need to use primer or not......

here's the guitar.....

Thanks, Pete

EDIT: Another option perhaps is to use black cloth tape and line the cavities with it. I am going for that open hood (bonnet to us Aussies) Hot Rod look and it might suit the look I am after.....

 

[Jumble Jumble]

I used two or three coats of this stuff and it did a great job. It was going over the top of existing paint though, so not sure if you need primer (I suspect not).

 

[Cagey]

Primer is generally used to prepare a surface to accept paint. Woods are usually pretty willing accept anything (unless they're very oily woods), so unless it already has a coating that's incompatible with what you plan to apply, you don't need to prime it.

Wood's willingness to accept anything can be a problem on its own, though. It may tend to soak up whatever coating you want to apply, which may leave a less-than-desirable finish. So, you might want to put a sealer on it.

However, in the case of pickup cavities, finish quality usually isn't an issue. They're often pretty rough holes. You're just trying to reduce the blatant unfinished appearance of raw wood. So, you can paint it with pretty much whatever you want without any prep at all. Sear's Easy Living Latex or whatever else is laying around the garage will probably work fine.

 

[mayfly]

I used flat black stove paint for my b bender cavities. Brushed on  Since your body is white, you may want to use something lighter

 

[bagman67]

You could also use India ink, blotted on with a sponge.

 

[jackthehack]

I would NOT sponge on india ink; you need to be VERY careful what you use... Ink can get sucked back up into the grain UNDERNEATH the existing finish, see pic below:

 

[bagman67]

Good point.  Thanks, Jack.


Bagman

 

[thebutcher85]

Maybe try this stuff?
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Conductive_Shielding_Paint.html?actn=100101&xst=2&xsr=i-3789

 

[peter.k]

Thanks everyone for alll the great ideas. This is my first build so I was hoping this question wasnt too stupid.....

 

[line6man]

If you're not going to do a proper shielding job, use leather dye.

 

[Updown]

:icon_scratch: ..... Liquid Paper  :icon_thumright:

I would go black on the bottom only, if the pickups don't hide it already.
I would go a white of some sorts for the sides, something  :dontknow:  see-through. 

Just think the black coming up the sides would really stand out around the sharp edges.
Since the routing was done after the finish.

Plus would really stand out against that Mary Kay White.

Shellac is good when it's a Brown or Tiger Eye or alike.

:dontknow:  ..... Wipe on White shoe polish  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[peter.k]

Definitely something to think about Updown. Small things make a big difference. I tried some black knobs with red numbers against the body thinking it would look good, but it made the whole body look terrible.....

 

[Updown]

Yeah, I would try something in white 1st as you can go over that. Rather than black 1st up.

Why red on the controls knobs  :dontknow: .... nope !!

Could do what I've done on some knobs. (paint a white dot) or colour of choice in the indentation of the knob.
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=19269.0
I say keep it black and white  :icon_biggrin:

 

[peter.k]

I had some black bonnet knobs with red numbers in the parts draw. just playing with different options. It was horrible, horrible I says........

 

[Perry Combover]

On my Tele body, Warmoth clear coated the entire body without masking the routs.  Hard to tell from your pic, but it looks like yours may be the same. :icon_scratch:

I know that paint ordinarily does not like to stick to it, so rather than going right on top of it, consider prepping it first.

 

[thebutcher85]

To be perfectly honest, if it were mine, I'd just leave the pickup routs alone, it already looks killer!

Otherwise I'd go with your first instinct and get some of that black cloth tape and just tape around the sides of the routs, that way you won't risk getting an ink bleed underneath that sweet finish

That's my two cents

 

[mayfly]

Otherwise I'd go with your first instinct and get some of that black cloth tape and just tape around the sides of the routs, that way you won't risk getting an ink bleed underneath that sweet finish

Funny I didn't see that before.  that will certainly work and have an organic look to it.  Could be just the ticket.

 

[peter.k]

Butcher and Mayfly, I am leaning towards the tape option. Yes, organic is the look and feel I am after....it's also reversible.

Perry, no it is not clear coated. raw timber it is.

 

[peter.k]

UPDATE

Thanks everyone for advice and thoughts. I tried the black cloth tape which looked great, but I was a bit unsure of the long term stickiness of the tape edge where it meets the guitar top. So I broke out the permanent marker to stunning effect (my opinion.....)

The timber grain is very visible and organic looking. The very sharp edge between the guitar top and the pickup rout looks stunning to me. I could not be happier. Here are some pics. Better looking than I imagined....

Here is a better pic....

 

[Cagey]

Much better blacked out. Nice job. I'm glad you opted out of the tape. It would have been a maintenance problem.