painting RG550

[Robot Boy]

ok, i have an RG550BK, and im thinking of frankenstriping the body, yellow with black stripes, but before i do anything, i have a few questions (because i dont want to screw up my baby).

firstly, i have some yellow paint which is designed for touching up body work on cars. the tin says 'acrylic plus formulation'. would this paint be ok to use over the existing black paint on the guitar?

second, when i disassemble and reassemble the guitar, is there anything i need to take special care over? for example, when i put the neck back on, do i just screw all 4 screws in as tight as i can, or does the neck need to be at a certain angle, whichi ive heard some guitars do. anything at all i might need to know, because, like i said, i dont want to mess up my axe.

anything else you guys think is important, please let me know

[LMDAVE]

You have a pefect setup for that frankenstrat. And actually if you like the yellow I painted my RG570 (look at several posts below on the main page) I have the spray can model number that I bought from Auto Zone Krylon Enamel.

Anyway, the first thing people may forget is to tape up the neck pocket area so you don't build up paint there and allow the neck to reseat like it was before.

I would sand down the some of the clear coat before spraying the yellow on, becuase your finally clear coat will re-gloss the black.

Another problem if you never striped before is when taking the making off for the strips, you should light run a razor along the edge of the stripe so it wont peal back the yellow as you remove the masking. I did a frankenstrat about 2 months ago.

http://pic14.picturetrail.com/VOL514.../114408143.jpg

Can't wait to see that RG550 finsihed.

[Robot Boy]

awesome. nice tip about the razor thing. doesnt that scratch the guitar though? and what clear coat would you recommend?

[LMDAVE]

When running the razor down the stripe it willrest along the side of the tape and help guide you. You dont need to press too hard, jsut enough lightly score the yellow so it doesn't peel up with the paint.

I used a Lacquer clear coat in a can. Most professional and semi-professional use compressed air guns where they can set the lacquer just right. But, the cans did OK for me. Again, in that other thread about my guitar I link to a thread that talks about how to clear coat to get a smooth mirror finish.

[Robot Boy]

cheers dave, youve been a huge help

[Thrash]

If the neck is off for a week or so, will it warp?

[Robot Boy]

good point, if the neck got knackered, i would slit my wrists and die. would the truss or anything go bonkers if it was off for a while?

[Robot Boy]

also, the tape for the stripes, should i use masking tape, or that electricians sealant tape stuff (dont know its proper name)

[LMDAVE]

I don't know much about if the neck will wrap. I never had a problem with that once reassembled.

Definitely use masking tape.

[Robot Boy]

ok, im part way through dismantling it. 2 questions: firstly, the jack socket. do i need to cut it off completely and resolder it to put it back on? and the same for the grounding on the trem claw, do i need to take it off and solder it back on after?