Spraying EMGs

[stratoholic77]

Hi Guys,

Does anybody on here have experience of spraying EMGs?  I'm putting a Strat together from a body that I've bought from the showcase and I really want to have all chrome hardware - including the pickup.  I've seen rattlecans of chrome style paint down my local store (B&Q for the other brits on here) and I'm thinking of using it to chrome up an EMG 81.

 

[line6man]

IME spray paint does not do well on a guitar. I spray painted a pickguard once, and the paint just came right off with normal picking. Maybe I should have gone over it with polyurethane or something.

In either case, I believe that EMG pickups have a textured plastic finish, so i think that a chrome paint is going to look hilariously ridiculous and un-natural unless you sanded it smooth.
You will need to sand very carefully, because the plastic used on pickup covers tends to melt very easily from the friction of sanding.

My two cents:
If you want chrome, get a chrome covered pickup, otherwise stick with the unmodified appearance of your pickup.

 

[line6man]

FWIW, The chrome and gold spray paints that i have used are not shiny like chrome plated hardware, but rather a satin like finish.
The chrome is more of a dull silver.

 

[TroubledTreble]

FWIW, The chrome and gold spray paints that i have used are not shiny like chrome plated hardware, but rather a satin like finish.
The chrome is more of a dull silver.

+1

I don't think that will come even close to the desired effect your after.  Have you researched "chroming plastic"? Perhaps there is a custom car shop somewhere near you that could help.

*EDIT* Here is some stuff that is supposed to do a fairly good job. http://www.alclad2.com/alclad-home.html

 

[thumb55]

looks like EMG is now offering Chrome and Gold covers. 

 

[kataar]

yeah, I was gonna say that the duncan blackouts now offer chrome and gold too

 

[Orpheo]

yeah, I was gonna say that the duncan blackouts now offer chrome and gold too

really?! do you have a link where to buy them?

 

[kataar]

well, I saw them from a video from this years NAMM, and then I did some looking around for 'em:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/news/newsletter/pickup_update_b/

so they aren't out... just yet. but they shall be soon, from what I can gather.

edit: NOPE! found 'em right here!

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seymour-Duncan-Blackout-Metal-Cover-Humbucker-SET?sku=360818    :toothy10: :toothy10: