Airbrush for Sunburst? Is it a thing?

[Dave Staudte (rhymms with "Howdy") NB Guitar Repair (New Braunfels, TX)]

You could probably do it but it sounds like a nightmare to me.

This is the gun I use. You’ll need a regulator or something to spray around 30psi.

Get some carboard, cut it out into guitar shapes and practice first.

Amazon.com: Detail Paint Sprayer Gun – Pattern and Fluid Control Handheld Sprayer w/ 8-ounce Anti-Drip Canister (Campbell Hausfeld DH550000AV) : Automotive

[Ken Gewant KG Guitars]

Thank you for the suggestion of the detail gun, but I have a Fuji HVLP setup that cannot accommodate a detail gun. I have not yet attempted any practice sunburst boards with my current setup, but will do so shortly. If all else fails, I would also like to test out using a double action airbrush. I appreciate your input!

[Luc Comtois]

Hi Ken,

I don’t do sunbursts very often, but when I do, I always use an airbrush. That said, there are many factors to consider here. What type of airbrush do you have, and what is your level of experience with it?

Some airbrushes can produce a line as fine as a hair and only hold a few drops of paint, while others are designed for larger surfaces and can hold several ounces of paint in a bottle. Some are single-action, others double-action, and so on.

If you’re using a larger double-action model, it can be done quite easily. The first advantage is the very fine mist it produces—the burst created with an airbrush is incredibly smooth. The second advantage is the high level of control it offers, which makes it easy to go over a specific spot to refine the final result.

The main downside is the time it takes to achieve the finished look. An airbrush sprays less paint than a detail gun, so you’ll need to make multiple passes.

If you already have a decent airbrush, go for it. If not, and you’re wondering what to buy, I’d recommend getting a detail gun instead.

[Ken Gewant KG Guitars]

Thank you very much, Luc. I do own a Paasche model H single action airbrush and airbrush compressor, but only have limited experience with it. A double action airbrush would undoubtedly have much finer control of the spray density, and would surely be a better choice for applying a sunburst finish to a guitar. Thank you for the suggestion. My current spray finishing setup includes a Fuji HVLP Q5, which does allow for variable speed control, so I may be able to get this to work well for sunburst application. I will see how some practice boards turn out, and can always purchase a quality double action airbrush if need be. I appreciate your help!

[Ian Davlin The Looth Group]

An airbrush patten is a little small for my taste.

Is there a problem you are trying to alleviate by not using a gun ? If you are getting a coarse pattern, three things.

1. You may be shooting in a dry environment and the lacquer is slightly curing before it hits. (add a slow solvent like retarder)

2. You could grab a touch up gun that isn’t HVLP. HVLP guns shoot a little rough.

3. Try to avod shooting a color pass over a still wet color pass. This is the number one cause of chunky bursts in my opinion. The overspray sticks to the wet lacquer and forms bumps that collect more color each pass.

[Ken Gewant KG Guitars]

Hey, Ian, thank you for your input. So I have a Fuji HVLP spraying setup, and cannot use a compressor-driven detail gun. I actually have not yet tried spraying a sunburst with it, so with the correct tip (and I assume one of the finer Fuji gun tips would be appropriate), it could work well. TBD. I will definitely do some practicing on some thin plywood and see how it goes.

[Lars Arvidsson GNU Musikverkstad]

So you do not have an air compressor? Might be a good idea to get one. A small detail gun (or airbrush) takes very litttle air so you only need a small compressor that you can use for many other things. I use an small old Devilbiss MP gun for sunbursts, it does not need a lot of air. Regardless of what you use, be careful with the air pressure. Do not go too low: -your atomisation will suffer. Sunburst is a little sensitive, you need really fine spray particles. You can go slow with many passes, that is what I do when I replicate 50´s and 60´s Fender and Gibson sunbursts and need a lot of control.

[Ken Gewant KG Guitars]

Thank you, Lars! I do own a small air compressor, but the tank is on the small side. I suppose it could keep up with the fairly minimal air demands of a small detail gun. The point about keeping the air pressure at a sufficiently high level to permit good atomization of the sunburst pigment spray is well taken. Thank you again for your response.

Cheers, Ken