?'s about paintin a violin

[TAG-Heck]

Hello, I have a guy wanting me to airbrush a violin. Never done anything like this, so I was wondering if there is any paint I need to use or need not to use ? Any steps or stages of prep work that may need to be done or any I should not do ? Any and all help is wanted and welcome. Thanks Tyson

[KewlKustomPaint]

Tyson,
First you have to figure out what is on the violin for a finish now
and weather it will react to whatever paints you are gonna use.
You might have to strip it or seal it in with something such as epoxy or
a good 2K primer,it depends on if it's varnished or polyurethane on it
now what you might have to do.Have to test a spot to see how
it reacts to solvents.
-Jeff

[TAG-Heck]

Thanks Jeff
I was told that it is a laquer finish ? But I am not sure. As for the testin a spot, I will but I don't have it yet and he want to make sure I know before he decides to have me paint it. Thanks Tyson

[KewlKustomPaint]

No problem just let us know what happens and what you end up doing if you paint it.
-Jeff

[yardartnut]

Tag...you must be very careful when refinishing a violin.......the wrong paints, stain etc will change the tone and even kill the sound....if you would like to email me and I can put you in touch with David Valentine...he referbs many antique and valuable violin/fiddles......he is always happy to help anyone with the dos and dont of referbs.

[KewlKustomPaint]

Yardartnut, that is good to know,i didn't think about pait changing the
acustics.Wonder if the same applies on acustic guitars,probably so.
i'll stick to electric guitars if thats the case.I'm gone paint my
pool cue with custom paint,Why not

-Jeff

[yardartnut]

Yardartnut, that is good to know,i didn't think about pait changing the
acustics.Wonder if the same applies on acustic guitars,probably so.
i'll stick to electric guitars if thats the case.I'm gone paint my
pool cue with custom paint,Why not

-Jeff

Thats a big yes any of the acustic inst. Ill tell ya how sensative they are, Im in blugrass....the first thing I do with a new inst. is hang it over a stereo speaker for the first 2 years when its not in use.....turn the speakers up LOUD
the vibrations will effect the wood in the inst. after that process it will have a loud beautiful sweet tone to it..I go thru alot of new stings those 2 yrs, but well worth it in the long run..so with that in mind what can be taken into the wood like that can also be prevented from going out of it..
Hope I didnt rant :lol: too much and helped a bit....

[thunder]

WOW the things you learn.. now where's that volume control...:lol:

[DocCyber]

thats why they use lacquers....the coats go on thin and they air dry.which means they get real brittle.and a brittle surface is tight and dense creating a rich tone.

you would have to use a wood sealer that penetrates and hardens from within and not on top then you would have to spray lacquer clear in thin even coats and then then let dry.

[KewlKustomPaint]

interesting info.thanks all i'll be sure to stay far away from AB any
acustic instruments.Can't blame me for messin an instrument up
if i won't paint it.
Ok well thats what i'll do, just SAY NO!

-Jeff

[Deborah Mahan]

The other thing about painting things like wooden drums, guitars, violins and such is they can Not get wet!!! No wet sanding, even the smallest amount of water can make the wood swell and sometimes split. Craig and I just finished painting a custom drum kit for Ricky Rocket of Poison the wood is very fine and very thin. We also paint electric guitars, the only acoutic guitars we have painted were no longer to be played, just something pretty to hang on a wall, and what you need to do is ask the guy with the violin if it is for playing or just show, I would not paint it, if he intends to use it. The sound change is something he may not have known about.
Deb

[KewlKustomPaint]

Nice name dropping Deb,yall get to do all the cool stuff for
Rich and Famous types.I could only imagine doing something for
someone famous, but it would be cool. Of coarse famous people a just
like you and I, just everyone knows who they are and they have money.

I think I'll steer clear of all instruments except electric guitars, then i'm safe.
-Jeff