Chalk or milk paint to refinish a guitar? Plan abandoned

thecolourbox

I saw a load of chalk paint and milk paint in hobbycraft recently, which got me thinking about how cool it would look on a guitar.

I have this bad boy that I was trying to sell but not really getting anywhere so thought maybe do it up a big for my own usage:

http://i.imgur.com/IJjNy8r.jpg

Has anybody done this and would therefore have some tips? My main questions are as follows:

1. Presumably I'd need to strip the red off first and I can't just paint over it?

2. Would I apply said paint with a sponge to get it fairly smoothly applied?

3. How do I seal it? Would spray paint lacquer work?

I didn't get on very well with spray paint cans last time I tried on my kit build, ended up using Wudtone but not a huge fan of the more natural wood-grain showing through type look

Thanks all

earwighoney

No idea in what to do for a milk paint finish, but a few of my favourite 'modern' guitar makers use milk paint finishes and IMO they look FANTASTIC.  

Have a look for Island Instruments and Cardinal Instruments for examples of guitars they have done with milk paint finishes.  Some really tasty looking guitars! 

thecolourbox

Thanks, yes the Island Instruments ones seem quite up my street I think having googled them. I like the shabby chic type look of chalk paint (only seen it on furniture and stuff though) and feel like I should have the painting skill to make something cool out of it

thecolourbox

Has anybody else tried this that might have some tips or be able to help with the process? 

Am thinking rather than flog this for <£150, I could repaint it, get some nice gold foil pickups in it and try and make it either a keeper or an interesting decor piece if nothing else!

Also quite keen to get that horrible attempt at an Airline logo off the headstock...

thecolourbox

Actually scratch that, I'm abandoning the project as it makes no economical sense to create a Trigger's Broom when I could get an Eastwood Airline for the same and it'll be a better made and finished instrument

pintspiller

I work for a charity that upcycles furniture with chalk paint and it rubs off in my hands when I deliver the stuff.

thecolourbox

Do they lacquer it though? It doesn't matter now for the guitar as I'm getting rid but I've got some I was going to use on the diy cajon I had for Christmas

pintspiller

They paint a bit of wax on top. But it still rubs off.

usedtobe

I did one, but ended up sanding it back and going with a different finish. It just didn't work for me, though I believe others have had good results..