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Hello All.
My son Willie is interested in a LP style "59 Gold Top". Since I don't have the thousands to buy one, I am going to build one! You were all such great help on my Martin kit D-18 build, I hope there is as much help and support for this one. A few questions... I am looking to buy the kit from "Build Your Own Guitar" company/website. Do you know them to offer quality kits or is there a better option you know of? It comes with "one coat of sanding sealer on neck and body". I can get from them, "Gold Top" nitrocellulose that they suggest spraying over primer. What primer would I need to use? They also suggest Stringed Instrument Lacquer and Vinyl Sealer. What would be the order I would go in... Obviously, primer first (do I have to sand off the "sanding sealer" coat?), then the nitrocellulose (color), then Lacquer and last Sealer? How many coats? I am looking for general info here... I have painted cars, guns, RC planes... So I have a "little knowledge" which my Dad always said was very dangerous!... I finished my first build with Tru-Oil so that was easy and I loved the result... This finish would be a little more involved. Any other bit of information you are interested in sharing would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

Sincerely,
Rich

I made a Les Paul from a Sega kit. It came pretty well sealed, in fact I did the burst three times and just wiped it off with lacquer thinner until I was happy.

I used Stewmac ColorTone rattle can lacquer mainly because they had the selection of colors I was looking for. It was my first and only nitro experience and the finish turned out great. I liked the sega kit with regard to the neck and the body and price. I did not like the electric so I upgraded the pickups and the like.


viewtopic.php?f=7&t=479
http://www.harvestmoonguitars.com/gallery3.htm

I made a few saga LP kits and just upgraded the tuners and the pickups. I used Gibson 1957 pick ups in one and P94's in another . I am happy with the end result.

For my opaque metallic finishes I do the following in this order.
Prep sand as usual (180 grit)
Spray 2 coats sealer, let dry
sand sealer (320)
Spray metallic base coat
apply clear as normal.

I can tint my sealer if I feel I need to but honestly haven't done that in a while. I have no problem with my metallics covering, takes about 4 coats or so. If you are going to use the primer, I would do that over the sealer. I would also run a teat panel to ensure you get the results you want.

For the kit, I'd go with Precision Guitar Kits, from Canada. I have 2 of their LP Jr kits. The quality is top-notch. Very tight neck pocket fit; impeccable fret work. Not as cheap as a Saga kit; but u get what you pay for.

For the finish, I recommend Guitar ReRanch. Their gold finish is almost identical to Gibson. Here's their tutorial on applying it:

www.reranch.com/goldtop.htm

Good luck!

Pete

Hello All.
Thank you for all of your replies and help. Thanks John. Your daughters guitar looks awesome, especially the head stock burst.
Thank you John Hall. I am not sure the kit coming from BYO Guitar is a Saga. I am asking them now. Willie is asking for the upgraded pickup's... He is asking that I put the Duncan SH-1 '59 - Black pickups in this guitar. Thank you Brian. I may have more questions for you when I start but if I don't need to use the primer, I won't... Just so I keep this straight, the "sealer" goes on first and gets sanded and is the "lacquer" the "clear" that goes on last? It should be several coats of clear lacquer (?) right?
Thanks Pete. The kits at Precision Guitar Kits look beautiful but a little out of our price range at this time. Maybe later when I have experience with building solid bodys. Thanks for the tutorial too. I will be using their information.
I have said it before and I will keep saying it... You guys are the best. When people see and play Willies D-18 I built, I always say it would not be without the people on KGF!

Sincerely,
Rich

It is best to separate the building and the finishing. So concentrate on the building first and then we'll worry about the finish.