● Be aware of the compatibility of the products you use. If painting using spray cans I’d
recommend using the same brand and type of paint for your seal coat, color coat
and clear coats.
● If you have to spray outside avoid spraying on windy days.
● Spray the sides of the body first. That way when spraying the front and back you will
be spraying over any overspray from the sides of the guitar.
● Don’t spray heavy coats. In many cases, several lighter coats are a better option
than 1-2 heavy coats due to the potential for runs.
● Check your binding for cracks. If cracks are present, mask the binding prior to
● applying a colored finish or the finish will penetrate the binding and become
● impossible to restore to its original state.
● Don’t apply too many coats within recommended drying times. If you spray more
than 3 coats in a day for example, your first coat may have trouble curing.
● If you are using steel wool on the body of the guitar prior to finishing ensure you
remove all fibers left from the steel wool.
● Hang your guitar in a cool dry environment. Don’t leave your guitar outside to dry
and attract dust.
● In most cases, you can respray within an hour. If you leave it longer than this, you
may need to leave the guitar for 24 hours and then lightly scuff up the paint with 600
- 800 grit sandpaper to ensure the ensuing coats will adhere to the previous coats.
(This depends on the product you are using, so check the label).
If you’re looking for a resource that covers guitar finishing in great detail, check
out Guitar Finishing Step-by-Step by Dan Erlewine and Don MacRostie.
2. Hardware Installation
Installing hardware usually involves installing the tuners, strap buttons, bridge, and pickups.
There are some best practices to follow including drilling pilot holes and aligning your
hardware correctly which we’ll cover in more detail below.
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