Odd question (humor me) covering HS.

[v-man]

So, many of the Gibson USA Models have a “black-faced” headstock, which I believe amounts to a black-colored plastic or holly insert that is sealed over in clear. Let’s skip the backstory for now and just say that I wish to color-match the face of the HS to the rest of the white guitar, but (for now) have no desire to undergo the expense or compromise to originality for a headstock refinish.

What suggestions would you have to accomplish this?

The two I came up with would be:

1. Vinyl Wrap in white over HS face (may interact w clearcoat over time, probably needs redoing every so often)

2. a thin 1 or 2 ply pg material (either W 1-ply or W/B 2-ply) cut in the shape of the headstock face or cut in the shape with the cutout to accommodate a flush fit for the TRC against the HS face (May be too thick or cause issues with tuners/bushings/washer nut or the sheet compressing/denting at those areas).

Any other suggestions? I am guessing a nitro-safe washable white paint is probably asking too much, but???

 

[Leee]

Hmmmm…
2-ply pickguard material for a headstock overlay.
Cut a bevel on the edges like your basic Fender pickguard?

Gives you a bit of a binding look?

I don’t have any help for you here, but it’s got me thinking.
Might be pretty cool.

 

[ARandall]

Headstocks were always painted with black pigment in nitro. And not all of the headstocks have the veneer either, so whether it was the 50's holly or the more modern fibreboard........or just the mahogany neck shaft - the finishing on top to make it black was the same.

I can't see any great way to do what you want really. The tuners will be the issue.....either possibly damaging a wrap during install or the headstock being too thick with pickguard material. Then with the latter if its not adhered to the headstock face everywhere you'll get warping.

but (for now) have no desire to undergo the expense or compromise to originality for a headstock refinish.

I am guessing a nitro-safe washable white paint is probably asking too much, but???

Which one of the two is it????

 

[v-man]

Which one of the two is it????

given the technology (which may or may not exist) they aren’t necessary mutually-exclusive. in the (likely) event there is no nitro-safe paint/coating/white-out, that wipes off with the original finish intact then I am not presently interested in refinishing this.

 

[TaterNuts]

 

[ARandall]

So you're asking for a paint with AI that can predict whether you touching it is cleaning dust or other debris off, or say something hitting it during re-stringing - in which case it is hard.....or then knowing later that you are actually wanting to remove it when its no longer needed - in which case it magically is liquid enough to wipe off.

 

[v-man]

So you're asking for a paint with AI that can predict whether you touching it is cleaning dust or other debris off, or say something hitting it during re-stringing - in which case it is hard.....or then knowing later that you are actually wanting to remove it when its no longer needed - in which case it magically is liquid enough to wipe off.

You forgot the suction and the reacharound requirements.

If the shit doesn’t exist, whatever. But the request is simple enough: make the top white, come off without sanding or fucking up the original finish.

It’s already a thing w vinyl covering, just looking for other options.

 

[ARandall]

The vinyl is the better option.....but it's still not 'good'. Be prepared for lifting around the tuners and on the edges in quick time.

 

[v-man]

3M Spray Craft repositional adhesive for photographs. White piece of paper.

No, not joking.


I’ll get you pics of the results of using this method to attach playing cards and yes… plain printer paper to nitro, and what it looked like years later when I removed it with a hair dryer. Spoiler alert: no trace that it was ever there.

View attachment 680732



That #5 is just printer paper. No clearcoat. Was on there for years.

EDIT:
Pics:

Les Paul Studio - stripping the back and sides...

I don't think I'm up for messing up someone else's nice things! Remember, when I started this, I was ready to strip and repaint the front, too. You should get started on yours though. I'm sure it will look great!

www.mylespaul.com

Les Paul Studio - stripping the back and sides...

I picked up a VibraMate and Bigsby from @NHDave here on MLP. It's time for the number 5 to go into retirement. Ugly.... let's see what 3M spray adhesive does over the long term. A minute later.... with a wipe of Virtuoso.... clean and dandy (that's just a reflection).

www.mylespaul.com

View attachment 680735 View attachment 680736 View attachment 680737

Brilliant! Thanks for another option.

 

[ajory72]

Maybe just use water based enamel house paint…
Might need several coats but would peel off ok…

 

[AJK1]

3M Spray Craft repositional adhesive for photographs. White piece of paper.

No, not joking.


I’ll get you pics of the results of using this method to attach playing cards and yes… plain printer paper to nitro, and what it looked like years later when I removed it with a hair dryer. Spoiler alert: no trace that it was ever there.

View attachment 680732



That #5 is just printer paper. No clearcoat. Was on there for years.

EDIT:
Pics:

Les Paul Studio - stripping the back and sides...

I don't think I'm up for messing up someone else's nice things! Remember, when I started this, I was ready to strip and repaint the front, too. You should get started on yours though. I'm sure it will look great!

www.mylespaul.com

Les Paul Studio - stripping the back and sides...

I picked up a VibraMate and Bigsby from @NHDave here on MLP. It's time for the number 5 to go into retirement. Ugly.... let's see what 3M spray adhesive does over the long term. A minute later.... with a wipe of Virtuoso.... clean and dandy (that's just a reflection).

www.mylespaul.com

View attachment 680735 View attachment 680736 View attachment 680737

Geez, not much break angle over the bridge, does it stay in tune ?

 

[v-man]

Maybe just use water based enamel house paint…
Might need several coats but would peel off ok…

Hmm… wouldn’t the ”water” in the acrylic-based paint react W the nitro?

 

[Deftone]

Buckethead signature LP?

 

[v-man]

Buckethead signature LP?

Too damned big -as if LPs weren’t big enough solid bodies as is.

 

[ajory72]

Hmm… wouldn’t the ”water” in the acrylic-based paint react W the nitro?

Nope

 

[v-man]

Maybe just use water based enamel house paint…
Might need several coats but would peel off ok…

Nope

Recommendations on the safest paint for the job?