Les Paul Prototype Build

TTony · September 2017

Are you making it for yourself?

It'd be easier to spray another solid coat over the top if you really don't like the grain after a few weeks/months than it would be to strip it all of you decide that hiding that grain really was a terrible decision.

WezV · September 2017

It's going to be sold when done, but no one except me is calling the shots on it.

i have promised someone first dibs and if they had a preference it might swing it given my stalemate.

i think I may need to do a tint before the gold to see. The clean sycamore colour won't suit the style

PhilKing · September 2017

It's looking great, but I can see why you might not want to hide the top. Perhaps you can make it look like a stripped goldtop, sort of a refinished look.

WezV · September 2017

Yeah, I am sticking with the "no bursts" promise on page 1 but the stripped look has been on my mind since page 2.

i still think it's a simple decision at heart. Let's see if I can pull off the difficult but mostly authentic gold top paint Steve let me have. If I can't the decision is made for me and I will be happy with it.

i also have my green epi I keep thinking about refinishing, so I will get a gold top out of this even if it's with the next formulation of the goldtop paint

Danielsguitars · September 2017

What about an all cherry top, I saw a factory refinish of a 54 that was done that way in 68 i think and it looked bloody good to me

Can't remember if it was for hank Williams but look it up

WezV · September 2017

It's certainly not a terrible idea. There are some 50's factory cherry guitars, factory refins and a few others out there.

WezV · September 2017

I started with the gold.

after lots of shaking it was still a bit spluttery, so lots more shaking and i did the first coat - the flame doesn't want to go and i almost think @GSPBASSES is onto something with translucent gold

second coat

Its definitely awkward paint to use and there were a few near misses with splutter. I cleaned the nozzle with thinners between passes and gave the can another shake each time. 3 passes from alternate directions makes a coat

paulnb57 · September 2017

That looks great, I'm so glad you at least gave it a try, a splash of lacquer will see it right methinks....

SteveRobinson · September 2017

WezV said:

I started with the gold.

after lots of shaking it was still a bit spluttery, so lots more shaking and i did the first coat - the flame doesn't want to go and i almost think @GSPBASSES is onto something with translucent gold

Its definitely awkward paint to use and there were a few near misses with splutter. I cleaned the nozzle with thinners between passes and gave the can another shake each time. 3 passes from alternate directions makes a coat

It does take a few coats to cover. Any more than 10% pigment and you get problems with crazing.

As for the spluttering it's due to the pigments not being sufficiently dispersed. I've taken advice on this and have a solution that I'll be implementing in the next few weeks.

It's looking pretty good though!

PhilKing · September 2017

I'd put a clear coat over it now. I think it looks great with that bit of flame showing through. Perhaps a touch of amber in the clear just to darken it slightly. I also am a great fan of Darkback goldtops, but I guess that's not going to be the look that you're after.

WezV · September 2017

Yeah, I am happy with the way it's going on now I have got it sufficiently mixed.

The colour is spot on

SteveRobinson · September 2017

Don't forget to spray the last coat lightly so the flakes stand proud then dust on the first couple of coats of clear so as not to wet the gold.

WezV · September 2017

the top got a light tint which really bought it to life. I decided to scrape back the binding whilst its all nice and fresh.

a few parts carefully laid in place

SteveRobinson · September 2017

Oh very nice.

SRich · September 2017

Get's a Wowser from me too.

I had hoped you wouldn't succumb to the 'Flame Police'.....this is looking wonderful.

paulnb57 · September 2017

Very nice indeed Wez!

Bridgehouse · September 2017

Correct decision - looks great...

PhilKing · September 2017

Good place to stop. It is looking excellent, though I did like the translucent gold.

WezV · September 2017

PhilKing said:

Good place to stop. It is looking excellent, though I did like the translucent gold.

It wasn't really consistent enough to stick with. I think it would be quite a hard look to achieve on purpose, at least with spray cans

WezV · September 2017

SteveRobinson said:

Oh very nice.

If the new formulation doesn't work out you should still make this available. Just with a load of caveats that this isn't for the faint hearted. Having used your burgundy mist and Pelham blue metallics, this is a lot trickier.

if you can make it more user friendly, even better, but I will be wanting more of this

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