guitar finishing

TYPES OF FINISHES   |   COLOR CHART   |   GLOSSARY  |   GALLERY
FEATURES  |   TURN-AROUND TIME

We offer guitar finishing services for bodies, necks and set-neck acoustics and electrics. We accept both unfinished and finished instruments. While we specialize in nitrocellulose lacquer, we also spray poly finishes.

Your creativity is the only limit on color for guitar finishing. We can match a picture or use a stock color from any manufacturer as well as spray custom graphics like flames, scallops or stripes.

TESTIMONIALS:
"...some of the finest nitro finishes anywhere."
—A. Hughes

"The guitar came in today...it looks AWESOME. I love the paint job. Thanks a lot!"
—Ron

"Just received the Warmoth strat body I sent to you for finishing in July. It is beautiful. The blonde is very authentic and really showcases the grain of the ash. On time, with no surprises —true 'custom' work at standard prices!" —C. Jordan

"The guitar arrived today with perfect shipping. The finish is, finally, now something that makes me proud of having this guitar. Everything you did looks to have been done with quality in mind, and I thank you for it."
—C. Moberg

People often ask what type of guitar finish will give them the best tone. First of all, tone is a highly subjective preference. Different players are looking for different things. Generally speaking, however, the guitar finish that will give the best tone is no finish at all. This will allow the wood to resonate freely. The problem with not having a finish on a guitar is that the wood will be susceptible to the player’s oily hands, the elements, spilled beers, etc. So you know you need a finish, but what kind is right for you?

There are many types of guitar finishing, and Southbound Custom offers most of them. On this page you'll find five finishing options that vary from vintage to state-of-the-art. Weigh each option’s strengths and weaknesses for yourself, and if you still have questions, send us an email.

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TYPES OF GUITAR FINISHING
All finishes are available in all colors unless otherwise noted.

Vintage Nitro Basic
100% NITROCELLULOSE. This finish is based on the classic nitrocellulose finishes from the 50’s and 60’s that were very thin. Your guitar will age beautifully just as those classics have. Because nitrocellulose is a solvent-based finish, repairs will re-dissolve, leaving a perfect invisible result.

Vintage Nitro Relic
Same as Vintage Nitro Basic, but sprayed even thinner. We then age the finish by checking and yellowing the clear coat and tastefully simulating light wear from a lifetime of use.

Modern Perfect Nitro™
This option gives you the benefits of an ultra-thin nitrocellulose finish, with the added benefit of a thin polyester undercoat. The polyester, being a catalyzed finish, will not shrink over time and so will leave you with a mirror smooth finish that will last forever.

Poly
This is the most durable finish you can put on a guitar. Poly will not shrink. It is very resistant to extreme temperatures, so you won’t find that your beautiful guitar has checked after accidentally leaving it in your trunk in January. It will resist marring, scratching and chipping.

Oil*
Our oil finish is a special blend of tung oil and other penetrating oils that protects from the inside out while leaving the natural feel and beauty of the wood. Because this finish is in the wood and not on top, it offers less protection against marring, dents and abrasion. It also requires re-application periodically depending on the amount of playwear.

*Only available in stain colors.

FINISH FEATURES

 
TVN
MPN
Poly
Oil
Solvent Resistant
No
No
Yes
No
Checking
Yes
Yes
No
No
Shrink
Yes
Yes
No
No
Glassy Smooth
No*
Yes
Yes
No
Invisible Finish Repairs
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Durability
Med
Med
High
Low
Wood Protection
Med
High
High
Low
Resonance
High
Med
Low
V High

*While the finish will be glassy smooth when it is new, it will gradually shrink and show the wood grain.

TURN-AROUND TIME
3 to 5 weeks*
*We make every attempt to turn finish work around in this time period, but guitar finishing is a very temperamental process. The 3-5 week turn-around applies to guitars that are supplied to us READY FOR PAINT. Please understand that in the event of a buff-through, we have to deal with additional drying time for a touch-up. In the case of nitrocellulose lacquer, there is a substantial amount of drying time: an average of two weeks before we can begin the buffing process!


Projects involving any of the following may take longer:
· Stripping
· Special order materials
· Graphics
· Decals
· Nitrocellulose Lacquer
· Disassembly/Reassembly