Guitar Paint Guide – Waterbase Translucent
A full guide is available to guide you through the process.
Water-Based Dye, Aquamarine — for hand application on guitar woods
Water-based stains and dye applied by hand with a cloth or sponge enhance contrast between hard and soft grain, highlight pores like ash, and bring out depth in flamed and quilted woods for 3D effects. Finish only with Guitar Fabrik’s nitrocellulose or polyurethane topcoats; do not use water-based varnish with this stain.
Type: Water-based stain/dye | Color: Aquamarine | Volume: 250 mL | Application method: Cloth or sponge by hand | Topcoat compatibility: Nitrocellulose or polyurethane | Not compatible with: Water-based varnish
- Enhances contrast between hard and soft grain
- Highlights pores on woods like ash
- Accentuates flamed and quilted figure for 3D effects
- Apply by hand in sections for even color
- Use only nitrocellulose or polyurethane topcoats
Nitorlack Aqua Stains allow vibrant colours and 3D effects on flamed or quilted woods, with excellent transparency and resistance to light. Stains can be mixed to create bursts, double tints, and custom shades.
Preparation & Application
- Surface Preparation: Sand the guitar body with P240 grit. Dampen with water to raise the grain, let dry, then sand again with P400.
- Masking: Protect areas not to be stained with masking tape.
- Stain Application: Shake well. Apply 4–5 drops onto a small sponge or cloth and work in long strokes, section by section, spreading the colour evenly.
- Layering: For more intense colour, lightly sand with P400 between coats and reapply as needed. For burst or double stain effects, apply lighter or darker colours accordingly, allowing at least 30 minutes drying time between layers.
Finishing
After staining, you can complete the guitar using nitrocellulose, polyurethane, or water-based finishes—compatible with the Nitorlack stain process. A primer coat is recommended before applying lacquer; on less porous woods like maple, finish may be applied directly.
Notes
Important: Test on scrap wood first to fine-tune colour intensity and technique.
