How to paint a body?

[xfsl0001]

Hi all,
Does anybody know how to paint a raw wood guitar body?

- Should I do something before starting to paint, prime coat or something?

- What kind of paint? For wood (like wood furniture paint? acrylic?), do you know any specific brand that works well?

- I would like a matte/opaque finish, what kind of varnish should I use? how should mix with a solvent, proportions, etc? how many layers/coats?

Finally at which steps should I sand or polish...

It is a long question... I need a step by step for dummies, although -I have many fixes in guitars I don't know about the paints and don't want to go wrong!
I appreciate your help a lot!

Thanks
Paco

[thaus]

Go to the ReRanch site and read all the tutorials! It is very involved but will give you all the answers. There is sealing the wood and priming the wood etc etc. If you have a body that is already painted, you can over-spray and save yourself a ton of work.

[jmasin]

Do as thaus says or go to one of the builders forums (I frequent unofficialwarmoth.com).

The process is involved and you must take your time. Since you are painting and not doing a clear finish some things are less important.

You have to fill, seal etc. as mentioned above. This will depend on the wood type. Much also depends on what you use, lacquer, acryllic etc.

I strongly suggest a book from Stewmac or the tutorials mentioned above before you start.

Cheers.