Complete amateur building a bass, what paint to use? (+any other helpful advice)

terada

Hi all,

After my bassist kindly drove my band halfway up and down the country for our gig over the weekend - and refuses to accept any diesel money, we (the rest of the band) thought we'd get something for him, and decided that a bass kit that we can put together and then scribble on might be just the ticket.

None of us have any experience with anything like this, but though it might be a fun project! Now we're going to go with a simple kit for a P bass (this one), and as for the design, I think it'd be good to get a flat white base upon which we could do a design with a magic marker.

But I am completely clueless as to what the best options are for painting. I don't want it to take forever, and I don't want it to be sticky/soft for months after we've painted it.

Anyone able to help/point me in the right direction?

Rox

I'm sure others will have different suggestions, instead of white, you could use a light wood dye, draw on the guitar, and then use an oil to finish it off. 

SimonRF

One idea:

1. White Wood Dye
   
2. Waterborne Sealer (brushes on)
   
3. sign it in your finest Sharpie
   
4. Waterborne Lacquer Top Coat (brushes on)
   
5. very fine sandpaper to get it smooth

This will take a couple of days, most of which is drying time. It will be set and sorted at the end, no stickiness, and is a hardwearing long lasting finish. The same sealer can be used on the neck.

Lovely gesture, by the way, he'll be chuffed!