Where should you not paint a body?

[Orange Tortex]

When I paint my Strat, where should I not apply paint? I’m leaving the back cavity unpainted, so what about the pickup, bridge, switch, and control routes? And the mounting studs are already installed so do I just cut tape into small circles and cover them?
Also, should I drill pilot holes for the strap buttons before painting?

 

[Rick]

A lot doesn’t matter, just put a piece of tape over the studs and tape up your neck pocket. Put tape anywhere you don’t want paint.  Tape Bottom of cavity is fine.  Just no paint in the neck pocket… wait I said that already.

 

[stratamania]

Did he say avoid the neck pocket. Good, avoid the neck pocket.
For the rest it would normally be finished.
Yes, mask off the studs in some manner. You could even use bolts and washers for the job.
Pilot holes for strap buttons more often than not are done in final assembly.

 

[Bob Hoover Ross]

When I paint my Strat, where should I not apply paint?

If you're married, in the bathroom.
Ask me how I know.

 

[mayfly]

When I paint my Strat, where should I not apply paint?

If you're married, in the bathroom.
Ask me how I know.

and don't cure it in the oven.  Another tip: Don't wash car parts in the dishwasher.

 

[rauchman]

Did he say avoid the neck pocket. Good, avoid the neck pocket.
For the rest it would normally be finished.
Yes, mask off the studs in some manner. You could even use bolts and washers for the job.
Pilot holes for strap buttons more often than not are done in final assembly.

Curious why should the neck pocket should be avoided?  Does the paint layer change the dimensions, or is it something other?

 

[stratamania]

Did he say avoid the neck pocket. Good, avoid the neck pocket.
For the rest it would normally be finished.
Yes, mask off the studs in some manner. You could even use bolts and washers for the job.
Pilot holes for strap buttons more often than not are done in final assembly.

Curious why should the neck pocket should be avoided?  Does the paint layer change the dimensions, or is it something other?

A couple of reasons.

1. If you paint the neck pocket you will make it dimensionally smaller meaning a neck could end up too tight or it may not fit into the neck pocket.
2. Paint in the neck pocket means less neck to body direct contact which arguably is less tonal transfer.
3. A good place to attach a piece of surplus wood for holding a body while painting is the neck pocket and this would prevent part of the pocket being finished.
4. Vintage Fender pockets vary depending on the year of whether they are painted or not or partially.

My preference is not to have paint in the neck pocket.