Huge Longjohns
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Loc: Where the black rocks stand gu...
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Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
#977097 - 20/03/12 05:43 PM
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I'm debating whether to refinish a natural wood pacifica to a Ricky-style Fireglo
sunburst--it's sort of see-through amber in the middle and dark blood red at the edges.
Any suggestions for paint types/colours? Cheers 
-------------------- "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" Charles Darwin.
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7592
Loc: Devon
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Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: Huge Longjohns]
#977113 - 20/03/12 06:37 PM
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Essentially there are 3 options. Nitrocellulose, solvent based polyester, or water based
polyester. My preference would be the nitrocellulose, it's the traditional
finish. You can buy it in aerosols and a range of colours from Manchester Guitar Tech. I haven't used them myself yet because I have
a compressor and spray guns. But the best option for home use. And I haven't found any
other UK suppliers recently. They also have a useful FAQ page. Polyesters are
really the same as car paint. The original Fender Custom Colors were just DuPont car
paints. Although water based is safest for spraying at home, I wouldn't want to use it
again. It feels 'plasticky' to the touch. But others use it and are perfectly happy with
it. Manchester Guitar Tech also have a tutorial on painting a sunburst finish
which should help you. Andy 
-------------------- When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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Huge Longjohns
long-serving member
Joined: 10/04/03
Posts: 1356
Loc: Where the black rocks stand gu...
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Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: Huge Longjohns]
#977196 - 21/03/12 09:39 AM
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Cheers for that, Andy. Not cheap are they, the nitro sprays! I've used car/craft aerosols
before with ok results for solid colours, eg black, white, red, but for a Fireglo you
really need that transparency for the base coat, don't you, so the grain shows through.
Would you think the Clear Amber followed by the Dakota Red would do the trick for a
Rickenbacker effect?
ALso I wonder if wood stain might do the trick for the
clear yellowy base coat?
--------------------
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" Charles Darwin.
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7592
Loc: Devon
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Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: Huge Longjohns]
#977283 - 21/03/12 03:25 PM
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You could go with a stain under a clear coat but that's adding an extra stage which is
more work, more materials, and more to go wrong. The amber looks about right. I've had a look at a few Fireglow pics and it looks like it's a 3 colour burst rather
than a 2 colour one. From the colours in the link I sent I would look at a Clear Amber
base, then Clear Orange, and then for the edges I would choose between the Clear Red and
Dakota Red. On top of the Amber and Orange coats the clear red would come out darker but
still allow some of the grain to be seen, the Dakota is more of a solid colour. What do you think? Andy
-------------------- When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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Huge Longjohns
long-serving member
Joined: 10/04/03
Posts: 1356
Loc: Where the black rocks stand gu...
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Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: Huge Longjohns]
#977287 - 21/03/12 03:36 PM
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Fireglo RIck Yes, some have a much darker edge band than
others. This one looks like a two colour to me, though, with just a thicker application of
the red at the edge? Or do you think this is three too (so to speak!)? Trouble with 3
colours is if I buy nitrocell I'll be spending £45 on paint and the guitar only cost me
£100 originally!
-------------------- "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" Charles Darwin.
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7592
Loc: Devon
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Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: Huge Longjohns]
#977307 - 21/03/12 04:26 PM
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That looks like three colour to me I'm afraid. If you look closely you can see that the
Red edge extends enough to cover the R of the tailpiece and the rest of the tailpiece is
the Orange. And that's the trouble with refinishing guitars, it's not really
cost-effective. Just like replacement pick-ups and machine heads, you never get your money
back in terms of added value. Andy
-------------------- When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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Huge Longjohns
long-serving member
Joined: 10/04/03
Posts: 1356
Loc: Where the black rocks stand gu...
|
Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: zenguitar]
#977335 - 21/03/12 07:23 PM
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Well I'm not refinishing to sell, just to do for a laugh/learn. Good news is I've found
some much cheaper nitro on ebay! ebay nitro
-------------------- "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" Charles Darwin.
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7592
Loc: Devon
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Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: Huge Longjohns]
#977393 - 22/03/12 02:23 AM
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Good spot, I actually have them bookmarked for their decals already. But
remember that they are just selling the raw nitro. You will need a spray gun and
compressor as well as thinners and stains. If you haven't got those the aerosols would
still work out cheaper. Andy
-------------------- When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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Huge Longjohns
long-serving member
Joined: 10/04/03
Posts: 1356
Loc: Where the black rocks stand gu...
|
Re: Paints to create Ricky Fireglo effect?
[Re: zenguitar]
#977467 - 22/03/12 11:41 AM
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Oh bollocks, you're right! Mind you, their aerosols are marginally cheaper than the other
ones.
PS I make my own decals with special inkjet film from Crafty Papers. They
come out brilliantly.
--------------------
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge" Charles Darwin.
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