Paint Front of Headstock Black

[rgand]

I have a Squier neck that, if I use it on my Tele, I'll want to paint the face of the headstock black. I also have to do some fitting at the base of the neck for it to fit and intonate properly. What finish is on these necks and what is compatible with it to re-do it? What can be used to paint the face black?

 

[bagman67]

There's a fair chance it's nitrocellulose lacquer.  you can use a q-tip dipped in acetone to see if a little will dissolve.  Detach the neck and try it on the heel area.  That tinted stuff will show up on the swab if it dissolves.  If you find it's lacquer, you can mask it and paint with black lacquer (Behlen sells a black product that worked fine for me).  I bought a bunch at http://www.shellac.net/behlenfinishingproducts.html (about halfway down the page) and have been happy with it.  Theyr'e in Napa and they ship pretty quick.  Then topcoat with clear lacquer.


If it's not lacquer, you can probably use lacquer anyway - because if it's not lacquer, you're probably looking at a polyurethane or polyester product, which will do fine under a lacquer coating.  Just sand it with 320 and shoot color on top, or alternatively, shoot some shellac as an interface coating, and then color.  Then topcoat with clear lacquer.

 

[rgand]

There's a fair chance it's nitrocellulose lacquer.  you can use a q-tip dipped in acetone to see if a little will dissolve.  Detach the neck and try it on the heel area.  That tinted stuff will show up on the swab if it dissolves.  If you find it's lacquer, you can mask it and paint with black lacquer (Behlen sells a black product that worked fine for me).  I bought a bunch at http://www.shellac.net/behlenfinishingproducts.html (about halfway down the page) and have been happy with it.  Theyr'e in Napa and they ship pretty quick.  Then topcoat with clear lacquer.

If it's not lacquer, you can probably use lacquer anyway - because if it's not lacquer, you're probably looking at a polyurethane or polyester product, which will do fine under a lacquer coating.  Just sand it with 320 and shoot color on top, or alternatively, shoot some shellac as an interface coating, and then color.  Then topcoat with clear lacquer.

Thanks for the information and the link. I haven't had much experience with necks. It doesn't sound too difficult.

 

[Cederick]

Black pickguard = black headstock

You do the right thing!  :icon_thumright:

 

[rgand]

Black pickguard = black headstock

You do the right thing!  :icon_thumright:

Thanks. With the rosewood fretboard, the maple headstock is almost an eyesore.

 

[line6man]

I don't think black is going to match. The body is red, so the headstock should be the same color.

 

[rgand]

I don't think black is going to match. The body is red, so the headstock should be the same color.

That would be ideal. The color is a transparent maroon with a slight pearlescence to it. Matching it would be impossible and a bad match would be a disaster. To do it right would involve a complete repaint with the headstock done at the same time. As I see it, the next best option is a new gloss black pickguard and headstock.

 

[fdesalvo]

Black/flat black could play off that pickguard if all else fails.

 

[rgand]

I already have the gloss material for the new pickguard. Flat goes away then.

 

[pabloman]

I don't think black is going to match. The body is red, so the headstock should be the same color.

My SG says you're wrong! :guitaristgif:

 

[rgand]

My SG says you're wrong! :guitaristgif:

Got a photo?

 

[fdesalvo]

/thread

My SG says you're wrong! :guitaristgif:

 

[pabloman]

It's an SG Standard I got when I was 17. It's in Dallas right now with a couple other guitars and my JCM 800 halfstack. I really need to bring those back to Colorado with me soon. 

 

[rgand]

It's an SG Standard I got when I was 17. It's in Dallas right now with a couple other guitars and my JCM 800 halfstack. I really need to bring those back to Colorado with me soon.

Cool guitar.

 

[Fat Pete]

Check out pictures of (almost) any SG or other Gibson - non-matching black headstocks seem to have worked out ok for them. Not to suggest that pabloman's isn't extra special of course!

Must confess I'm also sticking my oar in because I just ordered a neck with a black headstock and that won't match anything except the pickguard. Each to their own but I'm expecting this one to look pretty cool.

 

[rgand]

Check out pictures of (almost) any SG or other Gibson - non-matching black headstocks seem to have worked out ok for them. Not to suggest that pabloman's isn't extra special of course!

Must confess I'm also sticking my oar in because I just ordered a neck with a black headstock and that won't match anything except the pickguard. Each to their own but I'm expecting this one to look pretty cool.

All the guitars I've seen with the black pickguard and headstock look good. I also went online to Gibson and checked theirs. Nice combo, for sure. Looking forward to your new build.

 

[rgand]

I got all the goodies together to finish this neck. Clear satin lacquer, gloss black lacquer from StewMac. Clear lacquer I have on hand. I've never painted a headstock other than clear. I'm intending to tape the face off just below the rounded edge. Now, the question arises, should I paint the black first or last? It would need some clear over it and I could do either satin or gloss. Any input on this?

Also, if I go with gloss, the pickguard material I have will look good. If satin, I would probably make a floral tooled leather pickguard and dye that a nice rich black with a light oil finish to give it a slight luster. Decisions, decisions.

 

[stratamania]

Build up some clear on the whole thing, then do the headstock face black. Then additional clear over the black.

If the black has a problem you only need to sand back to clear.

EDIT, obviously allowing sufficient time for drying etc between coats, but you knew that I guess.

 

[rgand]

That's kind of what I figured. Thanks.

I'm going to make a couple samples to see if I want the finish on the black satin or gloss. That will also help me decide what kind of pickguard I'll put on it.

Meanwhile, I will re-drill and mount the neck to insure a good fit.

 

[stratamania]

It's a good idea to do tests on samples.