Painting a Red Bullseye on my LP Custom

[rvcasrfr]

Hey guys,

So I'm getting the itch to try some custom work. I've been in love with this design for a long time and would love to mod my Alpine Epi LP Custom like that if possible. That pic is a Chinese knockoff BTW. Anyway the problem is - I've never done anything like this before. I have a good friend who has painted a few (sweet ass) guitars and said he would help me, but I'd like to gather as much knowledge as I can before diving into it.. So I've got a few questions for you all...

Can I just get a sticker like this to use as a stencil? If so, do I have to sand down the LP and repaint both the white and red, or can I just tape around the stencil, remove it, then paint the red bullseye and refinish over that? If I sand down the neck on my LP Custom will the wood look like this underneath? Overall how difficult of a job would you say this is and how high of a risk do I run of really f'ing up my LP? It all looks a little too easy...

Sorry for the double post from the Epi LP subforum. Posted there first and got referred here. Thanks in advance for the help

 

[Mr Teeny]

Check out this thread

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/custom-shop/141078-flying-v-zakk-wylde-project.html

 

[rvcasrfr]

Check out this thread

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/custom-shop/141078-flying-v-zakk-wylde-project.html

Thanks. Some good info there. Honestly, and no disrespect to the guy who made that guitar, I was a little underwhelmed with the finished product. IMO the paint looked very bland and not quite near the brightness and precision of the pictures I have above. Also the last picture makes it look like the alternating colors aren't totally flush.. Was it just the paint/finish that guy used? Lighting in the photos? Or do all n00b custom projects come out like that? If I'm going to do this I really want my finished product to come out looking as clean as the pictures I posted

 

[jonny]

Thanks. Some good info there. Honestly, and no disrespect to the guy who made that guitar, I was a little underwhelmed with the finished product. IMO the paint looked very bland and not quite near the brightness and precision of the pictures I have above. Also the last picture makes it look like the alternating colors aren't totally flush.. Was it just the paint/finish that guy used? Lighting in the photos? Or do all n00b custom projects come out like that? If I'm going to do this I really want my finished product to come out looking as clean as the pictures I posted

I think maybe its cus of the metallic'ish paint.

The key to getting what you're picturing would be to do lots of clearcoat on top. Not heavy coats but a lot, I want to say 10ish..

I'm definitely no expert, so take that with a grain of salt.

As for the neck, I would think that it would be mahogany underneath, not maple, unless theres something I dont know about Epi Customs. Gibson's site has no specs on it. If you still wanted to see the wood, you could carefully sand it all off. The stinger would be tricky. Then you'd want to put clearcoat on it.

 

[JSJ-LP]

I like the red/natural look best of all the bullseyes. Apparenty it's a standard though, and not a cuctom as someone else pointed out when I was commenting on is on annother thread.

 

[rvcasrfr]

I like the red/natural look best of all the bullseyes. Apparenty it's a standard though, and not a cuctom as someone else pointed out when I was commenting on is on annother thread.

Yeah I know, I'm not staying true to the Zakk version of this paintjob at all. Personally I think the bright red/alpine white on a Custom with EMGs looks utterly jaw dropping. Plus on top of that I think it will be cool to have one that is pretty much one of a kind (besides chinese knock offs). The maple neck takes it over the top of awesomeness, but as someone pointed out I pry am out of luck on that one.. But to each their own

 

[Pinkie]

Use a paint mask and paint what ever color you want then take it off and clear over that.
You may need to sand the top a bit to rough it up so the paint and clear coat stick.
Sanding the neck is up to you I wouldn't do it because you will see the scarf joints in the neck.

 

[rvcasrfr]

bump

 

[Reverend D]

Have you done any painting or anything of this nature before? Yes it can be done, it would require taping it off, probably using a large protractor to get the nice big circles. Then the tape would have to be cut cleanly and carefully and then spray your color coat. Someone else can maybe comment on the possibility of painting the color coat over the urethane or poly finish the guitar probably has. Honestly it depends on your skill and if you've done anything remotely like this, even if its cars, bikes, models etc. It could turn out great, or you could be turning your axe into a bad looking school project. Just being honest, if I had any doubt at all in myself and my ability to do it, I'd be looking for the guitar with the paint on it already since its a Epi, it wouldn't be incredibly expensive. Just an opinion of course. I'm sure others will respond on the possibility of doing it on the stock finish and maybe give some more information on what you'd need to do. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Kindest regards,

Don

 

[Ole'Lefty]

Each to his own. You might consider the purpose of a bullseye and stay away from conservative old Les Paul farts.(all, laugh here, just joking) I breathed easier when you clarified it is an Epi(now, now, I have an Epi Dot that is phenomenal) but modding one is less risky.

 

[TKOjams]

thay have then in red

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[rvcasrfr]

Have you done any painting or anything of this nature before? Yes it can be done, it would require taping it off, probably using a large protractor to get the nice big circles. Then the tape would have to be cut cleanly and carefully and then spray your color coat. Someone else can maybe comment on the possibility of painting the color coat over the urethane or poly finish the guitar probably has. Honestly it depends on your skill and if you've done anything remotely like this, even if its cars, bikes, models etc. It could turn out great, or you could be turning your axe into a bad looking school project. Just being honest, if I had any doubt at all in myself and my ability to do it, I'd be looking for the guitar with the paint on it already since its a Epi, it wouldn't be incredibly expensive. Just an opinion of course. I'm sure others will respond on the possibility of doing it on the stock finish and maybe give some more information on what you'd need to do. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Kindest regards,

Don

I've never done anything like this before but as long as its possible for a beginner to do well at something like this, I think I can be that beginner. And what do you mean by 'looking for a guitar with the paint on it already since its an Epi'. This is a non-standard production guitar and I highly doubt anything besides Chinese knockoffs exist for purchase. Or do you mean having a luthier paint it for me? How much would a job like that cost? For less than $200 I'd much rather have a professional do it

 

[Goodcleanfun]

bite the bullet man. Give it a go. Worse comes to worst, you sand it off and start again and learn in the process.

There has to be a concentric circle template somewhere on the internet you can use, or create one yourself with a compass and a pencil, then use masking tape to obscure what you don't want painted.

 

[Reverend D]

I meant I think there is an epi copy of the Zak guitar already and if I had any doubt I'd sell that one and buy one already painted.. But hey its not rocket science and by all means if you have confidence it can be done. I can't tell you how many projects I've just jumped in and did! Built 6 amps in the last 5 years and had never done that, so push forward and persevere! Good luck with it Man!

Regards,

Don

 

[guitarheo3]

Thanks. Some good info there. Honestly, and no disrespect to the guy who made that guitar, I was a little underwhelmed with the finished product. IMO the paint looked very bland and not quite near the brightness and precision of the pictures I have above. Also the last picture makes it look like the alternating colors aren't totally flush.. Was it just the paint/finish that guy used? Lighting in the photos? Or do all n00b custom projects come out like that? If I'm going to do this I really want my finished product to come out looking as clean as the pictures I posted

i thought it looked good. painting a guitar especially with the design you want is a lot harder than it looks. i think the vinyl stick-ons would be the best and easiest approach. they'll probably look better in the end and be easier than trying to make stencils for the circles and such. AND it'll be reversible when you begin to think "wow, i'm just trying to be zakk wylde jr..." i wanted to do the bulls eye design once too but glad i didn't. just my two cents. if you do decide to do the paint good luck

 

[guitarheo3]

That, however, may be a VERY cool look, sort of a "ghost of the old sticker-job", that is only noticeable to you.

Another cool thing about a sticker-job, if you find you LOVE it, you can always do the paint later.

haha i took a grenade vinyl piece of my lp last month after it had been on for a year or two. i call the ghost image "tan lines" haha.

 

[GreaseBox]

Yep!