Painting name on guitar

[zappa2k2]

Hi all.

Any of you have painted names on guitars (like Evo or Flo)? What do you use to do it? I was thinking of writing the names on the side of the headstocks of my guitars, and wanted to know what would be best.

Thanks

[7@6-stringBUTCHER]

you mean like a headstock decal

[chaos731]

Nail polish, or high-gloss acrylic paint. Both are available in a wide variety of colors.

[Crazy_Guitar]

I use Dymo labels and place them on the headstock, just beside the tuners.

[zappa2k2]

Originally Posted by 7@6-stringBUTCHER

you mean like a headstock decal

Let's say an Ibanez head stock. Front of headstock says Ibanez, back of headstock has serial number, side of headstock is the contour of it. What would be the best way to paint (or write with a marker) a name there? What kind of paint? What kind of marker? Etc.

And what is the best way to paint it on the body too? Like on Vai's Evo or Flo or Evo II.

[zappa2k2]

Originally Posted by Crazy_Guitar

I use Dymo labels and place them on the headstock, just beside the tuners.

Sweet. That looks nice and not messy at all!

[zappa2k2]

Originally Posted by chaos731

Nail polish, or high-gloss acrylic paint. Both are available in a wide variety of colors.

Nail polish works fine for this?

[Crazy_Guitar]

Another angle:


If you want to remove it, just peel it off. Then, a bit of alcohol removes any residue of glue that may remain.

[chaos731]

Originally Posted by zappa2k2

Nail polish works fine for this?

I can't speak to the compatibility of all nail polishes with all guitar finishes, but I've used several standard nail polishes on several guitars over the years, and I've never had any problems. As with all things, there will be exceptions.

I imagine that, if you're super careful and use a decent brush (NOT the little brush that comes in a bottle of nail polish...it's waaay too coarse and messy for stuff like this), you can probably get the results you're after. I don't know what Vai used to paint "Evo" on Evo, but my guess is probably nail polish.

Just remember...using stuff like nail polish is, for all intents and purposes, PERMANENT. You might be able to use a non-acetone remover...MAYBE...but I wouldn't try it, personally.

Point is, just be sure you really want that on your axe before you try painting it on there, regardless of what method/material you use. Think of it as a tattoo for your guitar, maybe it's not technically permanent, but you're probably going to leave a scar even if you CAN remove it.

[Crazy_Guitar]

I think Vai uses permanent ink markers.

[zappa2k2]

Originally Posted by chaos731

I can't speak to the compatibility of all nail polishes with all guitar finishes, but I've used several standard nail polishes on several guitars over the years, and I've never had any problems. As with all things, there will be exceptions.

I imagine that, if you're super careful and use a decent brush (NOT the little brush that comes in a bottle of nail polish...it's waaay too coarse and messy for stuff like this), you can probably get the results you're after. I don't know what Vai used to paint "Evo" on Evo, but my guess is probably nail polish.

Just remember...using stuff like nail polish is, for all intents and purposes, PERMANENT. You might be able to use a non-acetone remover...MAYBE...but I wouldn't try it, personally.

Point is, just be sure you really want that on your axe before you try painting it on there, regardless of what method/material you use. Think of it as a tattoo for your guitar, maybe it's not technically permanent, but you're probably going to leave a scar even if you CAN remove it.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to do this drunk Thanks! I'll look into this.

[zappa2k2]

Originally Posted by Crazy_Guitar

Another angle:


If you want to remove it, just peel it off. Then, a bit of alcohol removes any residue of glue that may remain.

That's really sweet actually. Instead of the white sticker, if it was clear, it would be even better I would think.

Thanks!

[zappa2k2]

Originally Posted by Crazy_Guitar

I think Vai uses permanent ink markers.

Would a permanent marker work on the headstock like that? It would need to be a fine point one I would assume