[:project guitar:]

Some of the searches bringing people to this site seem to be about how to do a sunburst, or any other “burst” (cherry burst etc) effect on a guitar – probably due to my initial ramblings on this subject. I decided not to go with this idea but in case it helps you, please see a list of links below to pages where people are talking about how to create this effect and where to get the materials etc. If you want your page linked here please comment and let me know.

It is possible to do a successful burst effect using spray paint e.g. from a can – don’t necessarily need a compressor or airbrush etc to do it. Based on the results I have had with spray paint (for my design) it can actually come out pretty well but preparation is the key. Proper filling, sanding etc plus if you are doing a translucent burst (or any other translucent finish) you ideally need to be starting with a decent grain on the wood – if it isn’t very good there will be a limit to how good the results can be!

• Manchester Guitar Tech – “How to create a sunburst using aerosols” – in this case using nitrocellulose lacquer (sold by the site but also available elsewhere) to do the effect. Most of this could be adapted for an opaque finish if required. This site also includes a page on how to assemble some of the “kit” guitars.
• Guitar ReRanch -”Sunburst” – details on how to replicate a ‘traditional’ 3 colour sunburst as seen on Fender and other guitars; including low-level detail on technique.
• StewMac – “How to spray a sunburst using aerosol cans” – Step by step guide with details.
• Premier Guitar – “Mean Gene’s Guitar Chronicles: Painting Part 2” – Details on spraying (using some more ‘professional’ equipment rather than aerosol cans) including a couple of paragraphs specifically about burst effects.