Swirly

[surfpup]

Still working on the swirl painting technique, but I think this is my best one yet.

 

 

I found videos on You Tube of guys doing a whole guitar body this way. Comes out looking like one

of Steve Vai's. Anyone try this? I'd be afraid to do a good guitar, but maybe a beater Squire Strat

or something....

 

[Rabs]

Good job man, that one looks great

 

And yeah ive seen those videos on the tube.. The problem with doing it is it seems like its partially down to luck if it actually turns out ok or not.. Still im sure there must be technique to it after all Gibson did a whole load and even though its not really my thing, most of their swirls that I saw looked pretty good as in had an even pattern (I wonder if they have some commercial size way of doing it?)

[Californiaman]

Yeah that's a good jobber on the swirlies Surfpup.

I've seen the videos, even toyed with the idea of doing a guitar like that.

Fender released what is known as the bowling ball Strat and Teles during the '80s. They're cool looking and rare.

I like what you did.

What are you planning on putting in that there swirly box?

[surfpup]

What are you planning on putting in that there swirly box?

 

That one will be a two knob Big Toe booster. Turret board's already wired up and it's going together today.

[Kaiser Bill]

Not sure who first came up with that, but model car guys have been using that method for years. Its really slick how it works. BTW... great looking job surfpup!!! Well done.

[brc]

I have done a few of them and there are a few tricks to it.

Most people that try the swirl paint think more is better. Try and keep your color choices to three or four colors. The more colors you use actually tend to turn the final swirl into more of a solid mixture with very little swirl.

You need a nice clean trash can, and make sure the complete body will submerge.

When you add your paint colors, just add very little ribbons of paint<it does not take much> and right before you dip the body, use a paint mixing stick, and slowly mix the ribbons of paint. I usually mix the paint by doing figure 8s designs.

Dip the body straight in, and remove it right away<again very slowly>

Its really not difficult, and actually kind of fun. One trick is to find colors that complement each other.

Because the paint comes out so rough, it will take about 8 to 10 heavy coats of clear to cover it so you can color sand and buff.

If you try it, please post some pics.

[Guest Farnsbarns]

This could be very useful. I've used it for ages in graphical design...

 

 

http://colorschemedesigner.com/

[surfpup]

This could be very useful. I've used it for ages in graphical design...

 

 

http://colorschemedesigner.com/

 

Indeed! Cool link - thanks.

[Murph]

I don't like em'.

 

Swirlies give me flashbacks.

 

(says the guy in a Grateful Dead t-shirt)

[surfpup]

I don't like em'.

 

Swirlies give me flashbacks.

 

(says the guy in a Grateful Dead t-shirt)

 

Funny. Like I tell people who get seasick... keep your eyes on the horizon.

[retrosurfer1959]

fun paint job style - we even had a kit and painted easter eggs that way this year.

[brc]

 

Here is a couple of picts of a Telecaster body I sold on E-bay about a month ago.

A little difficult to see, but the finish is glass smooth.

This only has four colors to the swirl.

[surfpup]

 

Here is a couple of picts of a Telecaster body I sold on E-bay about a month ago.

A little difficult to see, but the finish is glass smooth.

This only has four colors to the swirl.

 

Nice swirl!

[brc]

Thanks, appreciate it. I have done a lot of guitar refinishing/painting. I had a shop for a while, but now I am retired, closed the shop. I still like to paint once in a while just for kicks.

[buliwyf]

In the first link of the white guitar being dipped,that BTW came out extremly cool.What was the clear liquid that was in the tub before the black was mixed all in.Was it as simple as being water then turned black with the colors poured on top of the now black liquid.I would love to do that to my white Melody maker Explorer.

[brc]

The cans are filled with clean water,<water hose>

I have found that once the water is full, and right before you put in the paint, use some type of filter to skim the top of the water.

Even some thing as simple as a fish wand<the type you use to remove fish from tanks>or use old pair of pantyhose and drag the top of the water, just any thing to remove dirt and debris before you proceed.

Any thing left in the water will be stuck to the body, either under the swirl paint, or on top of the paint and it will ruin a good swirl job.

[Rabs]

In the first link of the white guitar being dipped,that BTW came out extremly cool.What was the clear liquid that was in the tub before the black was mixed all in.Was it as simple as being water then turned black with the colors poured on top of the now black liquid.I would love to do that to my white Melody maker Explorer.

Yeah I think ive read that its plain water and a cup of borax

[brc]

Yeah I think ive read that its plain water and a cup of borax

 

I have done quite a few, and never used Borax, just a can full of clean water, oil based paints, newspaper.

I have heard of special oil based paints, but mostly I have used the basic Testors model paints.

[surfpup]

The Testors paints work well. Some oil paints are too heavy and sink to the bottom (Rustoleum for example). You can thin those with paint thinner until they float. I use 1 tablespoon borax per gallon of water. It seems to help the paint float better. As I said, I haven't tried a guitar though - only my pedal enclosures. It's also best if the item has a coat of paint on it already (and one that compliments your color scheme). I tried a gray primed enclosure and it did not work nearly as well as ones that already have a good coat of paint on them.

[surfpup]

Decided it needed a few more coats of clear, but now I'm finished