Couldn't afford the real thing, so.........

[krimson]

I picked up a Kramer Pacer that had been saved from a fire a while back. The damage wasn't bad mostly smoke damage that sanded right off. Anyway I always wanted a Jackson Ghost Flamed finished guitar, so I just did my best to copy it. Total cost including Primer, paint, sandpaper, and rubbing compound was about $45. What do you guys think?

Before


During


After

[toejam]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Wow, that looks very cool. Good job! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[Sukisyn]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Very well done! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[GiantBaba]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

That thing is cool, man! Rockin'!

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Very cool! Care to explain how you actually paint ghost flames? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Good job!
[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[RacerX]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Nice!

[Snoogans]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

That's great! Nice neck too!
Looking forward to seeing her fitted up and rockin'

[zeegler]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Nice job Keith! Is that pinstripe binding, or a new neck?

[StukaJU87]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

You did a nice job there, bro. Lookin' good!

[sully]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........


nice job indeed, keith!!!

[ QUOTE ]
Very cool! Care to explain how you actually paint ghost flames? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

here's one way [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

paint your base color.
mask off flame pattern #1 (the back flames)
get two different shades of pearlescent powder.
mix one shade in with your clearcoat.
fog it in lightly.
clear over it.
after that's cured and dry, mask off your second flame pattern.
mix the other shade of pearl in with some clear.
fog that in lightly.
clear over it.
wetsand, and buff until golden brown.

...wait. that golden brown was part of my grilled cheese recipe. ignore that part.

sully

[VitaminG]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

you buff your grilled cheese? Who buffs cheese?!

[txcharvel]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Cheese buffer [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Very nice work. You'll have to post a pic with the hardware [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Anders]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Looks great to me!
Good work!

Anders

[krimson]

Re: Couldn\'t afford the real thing, so.........

Zeegler,
The neck was already binded. You just can't notice it because of the smoke damage. I am actually still debating whether or not the re-bind it. Check out the pic before and after.

Before


After


As for the ghost flame finish Sully had it right on lt the money. House of Kolor makes some pearl powder that you can mix with your clear to give it a transparent shade. Using two different shades will give your great results and both will be transparent.

Here's how I did it. I pretty much painted the body to a black base using plasticoat metal flake laquer from Pep Boys (Cost $4.99). Then I used fine line tape to create the flames. You can buy the blue fine line tape at any automotive paint store for about $5. I then painted the first set of flames with Platicoat Metallic Flake Red (Cost $4.99). After that I masked a new set of flames and painted those Plasticoat Silver Laquer (Cost $4.99). The finish during this stage pretty much looks like the middle picture above. After that I applied Plasticoat Candy Blue Paint (Cost $5.49). This paint is tricky because it is basically transparent, so what ever is underneath will now be a different hue of blue. During this stage you have to be really careful to spray the candy blue evenly, or else you will have a blotchy finish. Next I clear coated using Platicoat Metal Flake Clear (Cost $5.49). Make sure to lay on a thick layer of clear, but try not to run it, since you will have to sand down to level all the different coats of paint and give it a mirror finish. I sanded using 1000 grit sandpaper and then buffed the finish using Mopar Rubbing Compound and mirror glaze for a glassy finish. You can pick up a 32 Oz bottle of rubbing compound and mirror glaze at an automotive paint store, as well, for about $8-10 each. Try to get it from an automotive store because it is much cheaper and you can use the rest of it on your car. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

P.S. Total cost was between $40 to $50.