Anyone familiar with Carson Electric Guitars?

[Zandit75]

Hmmm, both good suggestions Waz.
I'll look at it with fresh eyes in the morning, maybe do mock build to see how it looks!

[Dedman]

I've used that stuff on furniture and it's long lasting but a bit fragile in it's 'grain" you need some clear over it to strengthen it. it will be like sandpaper. I've never tried to sand it as I was after the rough finish. *( I did a series of book cases and cabinets that looked like sky scrapers)

[wazkelly]

Definitely needs several clear top coats to hold the textured bits from coming off over time. It should probably end up similar to the pebblecrete finish they do on swimming pools once you get several clear layers down.

[Zandit75]

Yeah, there will definitely be clear over the top. I'm just worried now about my plans for orange pinstriping. I don't think it's going to work on this finish.

[Dedman]

nope, defiantly won't work with pin striping.

[wazkelly]

Doesn't need pin striping IMO as with that textured finish there is plenty going on visually already.

If you were really, really brave you could tape off an area that you wanted to paint on some pin stripes before laying down the clear top coats. To apply the colour a spray can might be best and maybe you could use one of those high viz orange ones they use for marking things out in the construction industry from the building or landscaping section at the big green shed or similar establishment. Because they are being used as a temporary marker bet they will be cheaper than high grade stuff.

[Zandit75]

Yeah, they would be no doubt. I think masking up some pinstripes is a good idea, but if the pinstriping I have coming wont stick, I reckon I will have the same problem with masking tape, and some bleed through too.
Perhaps an idea would be a variation on the splatter guitar you shared earlier, just with bright orange paint?!

[Zandit75]

I did a quick mock build this morning. Doesn't look too bad at this stage, but I have applied a second coat as well, and it has darkened up a bit more.


Before placing the bits in place, I gave the body a very light sand, and it knocked the high points off pretty well, and making it less prickly, and more like the pebblecrete you mentioned. Around the edges though, I removed it completely, so it is pretty fragile. The second coat filled everything in nicely, so you can;t even tell where I stuffed up.

[wazkelly]

Sounds good and the splatter effect might just work and you can find cheap acrylic stuff in Officeworks, Spotlight or any craft supplies store.

Again, as always, test on scrap before attacking the project guitar and also apply some clear top coat to see if it reacts with stuff used for splatter effect. If no reaction you should be good to go as I presume your spray cans are acrylic anyway?

EDIT: Just saw your mock build and love it just as it is. I reckon run with the minimalist approach here where less is more on this one.

[Zandit75]

Yeah, you might be right Waz. I'm not sure about the neck at the moment. The fretboard doesn't match really well. I didn't even consider it in the colour scheme.
The neck is actually giving me some problems at the moment. I've been sanding the back of the neck for the last day, and I don't seem to be getting anywhere, The original finish is gone in some areas, but in others it is being stubborn even when hit with 120grit sandpaper.
More elbow grease required.