Sunburst Guitar finish for the Beginner

My fresh bass: Michael Kelly Dragonfly
Photo by NathanaelB

Originally designed to replicate the vintage appearance seen on classic violins, the Sunburst finish is commonly found on both antique and contemporary guitars. It is a highly popular guitar finish, but is it too challenging for the average person?

Achieving a sunburst finish on your instrument is not impossible, as long as you follow a few simple techniques and take great care. It is advisable to practice some of the procedures first using a scrap piece of wood before attempting it on your guitar.

If this is a completely new guitar kit, you will need to assemble the guitar first. Keep in mind that you will be taking it apart to work on the finish, so ensure that you do not encounter any issues with the guitar that may jeopardize the finish that you have put a great deal of effort into.

Once you have assembled the electric guitar How to Buy a Guitar - The guitar is known for its dynamic and unique sound, making it a popular instrument in various genres of music. Whether you're a beginner or someone with a growing passion for guitar playing, here are some top tips for buying a guitar: Seek out advice. Start by seeking guidance from someone you know who has… and checked for potential problems, you can begin prepping the wood. Sand it down until you have a smooth surface to work with. Then, remove any excess dust particles and clean the guitar thoroughly.

Next, apply a generous amount of wood grain filler. Make sure to apply it heavily across the surface of the guitar and work it in. Once it has dried, remove the excess and wipe away any remaining residue with a damp cloth. It is then time to paint the back, sides, and neck of the guitar. Remember to always protect the body and neck.

While spraying, it is advisable to keep the spray cans in warm water before use. You will need multiple coats, so avoid applying too much at once. The key is to build up the color layer by layer and spray from a moderate distance to achieve a soft edge. The closer you are, the sharper the edge line will be.

Afterward, apply the amber lacquer. You may need to mask off the edges of the guitar and place it face up on a sturdy workbench before applying. Once this step is complete, apply a clear coat and use sandpaper between coats to eliminate any imperfections. Then, apply your next dark stain to achieve a color blend between the edge and inner tones. Apply it lightly and build up the necessary coats. At this stage, it is best to allow the final coat to dry completely. Once the guitar is thoroughly dry, begin the sanding process once again.

This is the final touch. The key here is to use lighter-grit sandpaper each time, gradually removing the marks from the previous sanding and progressing to finer grits. Continuously sand gently, switching to a finer grit until you run out of sandpaper, at which point you can move on to buffing. From this point on, continue to buff or hand polish until you are completely satisfied with the final appearance.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME