Hydro Dipping a Squier

[Oldguitarguy]

Found this cool video where a guy hydro dips a Squier. Really cool. Anyone try it? Is it a difficult process or relatively easy? Might do this to make a “Hendrix” Squier Strat. Would have to wait for summer though.

 

[dbrian66]

I thought about doing a guitar. It’s a lot harder than it looks though. I did some practice runs on small pieces of PVC pipe and learned enough to know I needed to learn a lot more before I tried a guitar body! LOL. That was at least a year ago. Maybe I’ll revisit the idea this coming summer.

 

[Robb]

Looks like an "Irish Spring" soap pop

 

[Luvs2yoko]

I’ve done a few with mixed results. Here is one I did last year.

 

[Robb]

I’ve done a few with mixed results. Here is one I did last year.View attachment 190234

Yep!!! I'm liking this

 

[Eddie]

I've considered doing this. I even purchased all the paint. But I haven't done so yet. I've been ok just painting with the spray can.

But the hydro effect is definitely really cool.

 

[Oldguitarguy]

I’ve done a few with mixed results. Here is one I did last year.View attachment 190234

@dbrian66 and @Luvs2yoko - wow - I like that red swirl one. Are there any tricks or challenges to get us over the learning curve? What are the problems and what did you learn from mistakes?

 

[Luvs2yoko]

I had the best results with testors model paint. Water at room temperature with borax added. I forget the ratio for the borax.If you screw up, which I did a few times it is a pain to sand everything back.That paint over a primed body is a ***** to sand.Good idea to test dip a piece a primed piece of wood before you try a body.

 

[Oldguitarguy]

I had the best results with testors model paint. Water at room temperature with borax added. I forget the ratio for the borax.If you screw up, which I did a few times it is a pain to sand everything back.That paint over a primed body is a ***** to sand.Good idea to test dip a piece a primed piece of wood before you try a body.

I might try it on a Schecter Omen that I bought off someone who liked to make carvings in the body. Some sanding, red bondo, primer and swirl. That will be the experiment. After some education, then I can trust the process with one of my Squiers.

 

[dbrian66]

@dbrian66 and @Luvs2yoko - wow - I like that red swirl one. Are there any tricks or challenges to get us over the learning curve? What are the problems and what did you learn from mistakes?

Water temp was very important. I had it too warm and the paint would dry on top of the water before I dipped anything. The metallic paints didn’t work either. In my test, it was supposed to be white, green, and gold, but the gold paint sunk right to the bottom! LOL. I also used Testors and Borax like @Luvs2yoko . Good luck!

 

[fuelish]

What do you do with the leftover paint? Have never attempted nor seen it done

 

[EdSevered]

Not too long ago, I came across a video where they used several nail polishes to do this type of swirly effect. With nail polish, the spectrum of available colors and visual patterns is by far much greater than that of paints, (so the girls at work, tell me) and you can buy smaller quantities. I’ll look for a link, later, haven’t had enough coffee, yet.

 

[grizzlewulf]

Finished product looked better than I thought it would. Pretty cool!

 

[brians]

Great video to watch, I really enjoyed it. Thanks.

Watching the poly stripping process is enough to give me an anxiety attack of note.
( I've never done it and now will probably never do it , yes call me chicken, I can take it )

I have the distinct feeling, this is by no means a " relatively easy " process, it is a very precise process in fact or it's just going to end up a mess. Kudos to the builder.

I really like the way it turned out, but man it's a lot of work and time to get it right , I look forward to seeing the results you get.

Now I'm off to buy a new pickguard, I can deal with that.......

 

[fuelish]

What do you do with the leftover paint? Have never attempted nor seen it done

Nevermind, I watched the whole vid, uses a lot less paint than I imagined

 

[Oldguitarguy]

Water temp was very important. I had it too warm and the paint would dry on top of the water before I dipped anything. The metallic paints didn’t work either. In my test, it was supposed to be white, green, and gold, but the gold paint sunk right to the bottom! LOL. I also used Testors and Borax like @Luvs2yoko . Good luck!

@Luvs2yoko
@dbrian66

how much testers dumped in water do you think you need to coat a guitar body?

 

[Luvs2yoko]

I used around eight I think.Probably could have gotten away with less.

 

[dbrian66]

@Luvs2yoko
@dbrian66

how much testers dumped in water do you think you need to coat a guitar body?

A lot I would think. I never made it past my little pipe pieces. I would try several pieces. Start small and keep getting larger until you get to guitar body size. Practice makes perfect!

 

[Oldguitarguy]

I’ve done a few with mixed results. Here is one I did last year.View attachment 190234

What tester colors did you use? I am probably going to do this on the Schecter Omen pictured below. I like the existing color of the guitar body and was thinking of doing dark red and black. I want to stay close to the brand. Any thoughts based on your colors which I like and are close to my thinking? Going to fill in the prior owners’ carvings first.

 

[Luvs2yoko]

The guitar was sprayed with red paint and sanded flat. I used two darker shades of red, grey,black and white.I think your base color is important to get the color contrast right.I have a bunch of Testors paint in bright colors I might try on a white body.