Pelham Blue

Hello Guys! i'm new here and couldn't find anything on the topic.

I'm supposed to finish an old Gibson SG (it has been refinished before) and the owner wants a pelham blue finish.

We don't have ReRanch or the like here and i would like to stick with nitro if possible.

I've applyed several finishes before, but never metallic.

I know that for a candy color you apply a metallic coat and then the color. But for lake placid blue you are supposed to use colored powder. That makes me wonder.

Do you think i can achieve the pelham blue color using silver or gold bronze powder mixed with laquer (as stated in guitar finishing step by step) and adding some stewmac blue stain to the mix for a blue metallic paint?

Or could i apply the silver or gold base an then aply blue translucent coats like for a candy finish?

I will definetly make some tests first, but I've never tried a metallic finish before and i think some experience would help.

Thanks!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul Verticchio on May 31, 2014 at 4:15pm

The finishing schedule for Pelham Blue (Fender called it "Lake Placid Blue") is contained in this guide.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plans/Building_and_repair:_Finis...

It's worth the investment.

It's a great color. Best of luck :)

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Permalink Reply by Mario Cardenas on June 1, 2014 at 10:51am

Yeah, is a great book. Pelham is a little different thou. But i think i can use the stain color density guide for color. Thanks Paul.

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Permalink Reply by Robbie Collins on June 1, 2014 at 8:04am

Here's a link to the Crescent color chart. Notice that particle size varies.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/f3n7ckz3xtsc0pn/Crescent%20Bronzing%20Pow...

You might use, say, #762 followed by a transparent blue or use blue #775 followed by a clear coat. Make sure you match flake size against an actual guitar or a good closeup photo.

I'd test on scrap without skipping steps however you do it.

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Permalink Reply by Mario Cardenas on June 1, 2014 at 10:48am

That chart's awesome, i was looking for that. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Paul Verticchio on June 1, 2014 at 2:06pm

Info from: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibsonc.html, regarding Gibson's Pelham Blue:

"The original DuPont color (4038L) is no longer available.

For example with Pelhem Blue, the color "Astra Blue Mica" as used on 1992 Iszuz vehicles is an excellent match, Sherwin Williams color code 718/B204 and Dupont ChromaBase H-9623K. Ernie from the Gibson Custom Shop claims that after extensive research by Gibson this is the equivalent to the original Pelham Blue."

If you're working from scratch, I'd try a white primer, a base coat of silver, a transparent coat(s) of blue to the desired shade and then clear coats. I don't believe the addition of metallic powders is necessary. The silver base coat provides the 'sparkle'. Fender never used metal powders in their 'candy' finishes. They used either a silver or gold base coat to add sparkle under transparent color coats.

I understand that you may have problems with USA suppliers being able to ship paints to you in Mexico.

Hopefully, local pro auto paint suppliers can be helpful in getting these specific colors.

Our great friend, Rusty Vance, has the Gibson Finishing Schedules. If he see this, I'm sure he'll give you the exact info you need and/or correct any errors I may have stated.

Best of luck, Mario :)

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Permalink Reply by Robbie Collins on June 1, 2014 at 7:45pm

Great info, Paul!

I'd bet my eye teeth that silver paints are made with very fine aluminum powders.
There are also quite a few newer Fenders with metal flake finishes.

1966 Burgundy Mist Metallic:

1992 Gold Metalflake:

1992 Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Plus Ultra Gold Metal Flake 100 Mint Cond | eBay

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Permalink Reply by Mario Cardenas on June 2, 2014 at 12:13pm

That burgundy mist looks awesome! I particularly prefer smaller flake. I once hat to refret (or was it fretdress?) a strat with that gold metal flake. Really cool.

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Permalink Reply by Mario Cardenas on June 2, 2014 at 12:20pm

Thanks Paul,

I decided i'm going to use what's supposed to be available. I couldn't find any metal powder so I went to dupont this morning. They have a huge book with lots of different blues that look like pelham. I couldn't decide. Those codes you posted are going to be very useful. I'm going back to dupont and also sherwin williams and see what happens. I'll keep you posted :)