Recommendations for Vintage White?

[lukasam]

Hey Everyone!

I have a Squier Strat with a two burst finish. I am wanting to paint it in a nice vintage white. Do you have ideas for what I can use for painting? As close as to Fender's nice vintage white would be good.

Thank you!

 

[Cagey]

Lacquer is usually best for the DIY finisher, but it's still not a trivial job. You might want to read this article to get an idea of what's involved. On top of what they describe you'll have to strip the body first, and getting polyurethane off is no fun at all.

You might consider just rowing through the 80 bajillion Strat bodies on eBay to see if there's one there that'll trip your trigger. Prices range widely, but I've had some MIM Strat bodies go through here that came from there and looked like brand-spankin' new and were bought for roughly $100. Considering a paint job will cost you nearly that even if you do it yourself, and you're already on a Squire body, you could save yourself a whole lotta work.

 

[Axkoa]

On top of what they describe you'll have to strip the body first, and getting polyurethane off is no fun at all.

What if he wants a funky reliced Fender-esque Strat?

Though actually, it might be helpful. How would you go about finishing in a different colour over a finish like that?

 

[Cagey]

Theoretically, you can shoot anything over anything. Whether it'll stick or not or whether it'll ever cure up properly is something you find out later, usually much to your chagrin. You can mitigate both of those things by using a "barrier" coat of shellac, but you'll end up with a pretty thick finish by the time you're done. Contrary to internet dogma, that won't affect the sound of an electric guitar, but what are you saving? In the grand scheme of things, you won't save any money but at least you're adding work and ending up with a half-assed job.

The people most likely to refinish are those who've never done it before. It's kinda like deciding to change the muffler on your car. Looks easy enough, and getting someone else to do it is always expensive even though the parts aren't. Seems like a no-brainer if you've got the time and ambition. So, you go to your trusty auto parts dealer and buy a muffler, and take it home to show everybody what kind of neat tricks you're capable of pulling off. Then mean ol' Mr. Reality shows up to piss in your cornflakes... :laughing7:

 

[BigSteve22]

The people most likely to refinish are those who've never done it before.

Truer words were never spoken, because if you've done it before, you're unlikely to have had an enjoyable experience which you'll want to relive.

Then mean ol' Mr. Reality shows up to piss in your cornflakes... :laughing7:

And, in the case of a muffler, turn your hands into mince meat! There's a reason Midas shops are always busy!

 

[Cagey]

Ugh! Mufflers, shocks and brakes. Whatta pain in the shorts. You look at a shock absorber and think "It's two bolts. Shocks cost $8.99/ea, according to the Sears Super Sunday Sales Spectacular. How hard can it be?"

 

[BigSteve22]

Ugh! Mufflers, shocks and brakes. Whatta pain in the shorts. You look at a shock absorber and think "It's two bolts. Shocks cost $8.99/ea, according to the Sears Super Sunday Sales Spectacular. How hard can it be?"

The only modification I'd make to that statement, would be to delete "breaks". Pads and rotors just about drop into a Nissan. $100 in parts, along with an hours work, is a lot better than the $350 some mechanics will charge you! (And leave you with some guitar money to boot!)  :icon_thumright: