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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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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 :)

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. 

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.

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

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 :)

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

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.

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 :)

Here it is. Just finished and polished. Thanks for your help guys it was really useful. Hope you like it. I leave you a small schedule.

Sealing coat 1 pound cut shellac. 4 coats 

Scuff sand 220

Waterbase natural grain filler

Sand 320

4 sealer coats 1 pund cut shellac

Sand flat 320

Chromacryl Automotive paint (White) 2 coats

Chromacryl Automotive paint (pelham blue) 2 coats

6 hours drytime. 

2 amber shade coats (clear and color tone vintage amber)

24 coats 20% solids clear laquer thinned 1:1

Wet sand

Buff

If you have any questions on the proyect feel free to ask. 

Attachments:

Mario,

You NAILED that color w/the aging. Very well done.

Paul

Paul, thank you for your comment. I'm glad you like it. The info you posted was essential for this job. Thanks!

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