Seeing spots

[wildbill]

Hi All. Long time lurker here. I have learned so very much from reading this forum, thanks for all the valuable info.

I have a friend who wants me to do a re-paint on one of his solid-bodies. Haven't seen it yet so not sure what it is. It is apparently in a basket where he field stripped it and never got around to it.

He wants it painted in a Randy Rhoads style black base with white dots. The black is no problem but I have been trying to find a suitable airbrush stencil for the spots. Google has not been my friend. Anyone have any idea where I can get a stencil with the RR dot layout? Or have any better ideas for freckling this axe? I am not an airbrush artist but thought this might be a good place to start.

 

[Cagey]

Welcome to the forum!

Are you talking about a guitar like the one on the left in this picture? (That's Randy Rhodes w/ his guitars, btw)

If so, it doesn't look like any "signature" pattern. Seems to be fairly geometric and repeatable, so you may be able to just shoot the whole thing white, get some self-adhesive dots and apply them as a mask over that base, then shoot the black. Just guessing by looking at it and comparing the dots to some other things I know the dimensions of, I'd say they're roughly 3/4" in diameter so these would work. Remove the dots when you're done and shoot the clear. Buff 'er out and Bob's yer uncle  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Glimmer]

What a great solution! If I had a hat I'd tip it, but since I don't I'll just tip my hair.

:icon_jokercolor:

 

[wildbill]

Cagey. Genius  :hello2: I hadn't considered reverse engineering it. Was thiking black base and then painting dots. Your way makes all the sense. And yes, from what I have read, the dots are 3/4".

Thanks again. I'll post a photo when I'm done.

 

[dmraco]

Cagey. Genius  :hello2: I hadn't considered reverse engineering it. Was thiking black base and then painting dots. Your way makes all the sense. And yes, from what I have read, the dots are 3/4".

Thanks again. I'll post a photo when I'm done.

Cagey's suggestion is the best.  Just make sure what ever you are sticking to the body will hold up to the paint you are spraying on top.  For example, nitro will melt some of the common "stickers" or adhesives.  If you are spraying common rattle can, you should be OK.  Nothing is worse that having a masked area lift in the middle of a spray.

Do a test piece to be sure if you have doubts.

 

[wildbill]

I'm a construction guy so will do a mock-up first for sure but thanks for the suggestion.  I like using Nitro so will test my "dots" before I move to the keeper lumber. I'm also thinking the first couple coats over the mask should be a light mist like clearing over a head-stock decal then gradually build. Actually looking forward to this one and was dreading it before.  :glasses10:

 

[bagman67]

YOu might want to create some kind of a jig or at least use a ruler to ensure you get those dots on there equally spaced and in parallel lines.  Try to eyeball that one and you're gonna invent new cuss words when you peel the stickers off and find yourself looking at this:

Instead of this:

 

[wildbill]

Holstein cow instead of Quiet Riot.  :laughing11: . Good point. I'm thinking a grid layout in light grease pencil. Thanks.

 

[swarfrat]

Would a hardboard template give a clean enough line? It'd sure be easier to layout and drill (or punch) a mask than try to line up stickers individually.

 

[pabloman]

A used Buddy Guy strat body goes for $240 on eBay.  :dontknow: might be a good way to go.

 

[wildbill]

A used Buddy Guy strat body goes for $240 on eBay.  :dontknow: might be a good way to go.

Ah ! but it is the challenge that makes it FUN. Plus he will want it painted some color, might as well do this. LOL  Thanks guys.

 

[wildbill]

The project guitar got dropped off. Gibson Explorer that has had a hard life. It looks like it was sanded with 10 grit paper or maybe a chainsaw. It should at least be lighter now......work will ensue once i finish my current project.  This should be fun. They even sanded down the body inserts for the Kahler Trem.

 

[wildbill]

Another pix

 

[Cagey]

Looks like the prep is going to be more work than anything else.

 

[mayfly]

wow - yea talk about a hard life!

dig out that palm sander...

 

[Glimmer]

 

[mayfly]

Is that some kind of goop on the fingerboard?

 

[wildbill]

Is that some kind of goop on the fingerboard?

It appears as though it was taped off (probably when they stripped it) and the tape was left on a tad too long (in dog years).  I am hoping it will clean off.

Frets are well worn too, gotta check to see if he plans on replacing them. That isn't something that I would feel comfy doing on this guitar as a guinea pig. I would like to learn to do it though.

Crazy metal guys  arty07: