3 guitar finishing Qs: Primer, metallic auto paint and WipeOn Poly...

[Bmachine]

Hello everyone.
I recently moved to Sydney from California and I build guitars. I know most of the good brands in the US but I don't know any of the names I have seen here in Australia.
- First, what would you recommend as a primer/sealer to go over an alder or basswood guitar body. Preferably something that can be found easily such as at Bunnings.
- Second, electric guitars are often painted with metallic auto paint. SuperCheap auto parts for example carries "PowerPlus". Is that stuff any good? Any recommendation for something better?
- Finally, I read with great interest on this board about MinWax WipeOn Poly. Everything about it sounds great but I have not been able to find out if it can be applied over a color coat. Most people seem to use it on bare or sealed wood. Are there any issues with this scenario?
Thank you very much for any help.
Bo

[Master Splinter]

I've generally been in deep despair at the quality of the metallic auto paints in spraycans here. I would suggest getting a small compressor and a touch-up gun - then you can buy acrylic lacquer from your local car paints place.

For non-metallics, I've been pretty happy with the $3 cheap tins from Bunnies or Supa-Crap.

For primers, I go for the automotive stuff if I am going to be spraying automotive paint - that way I know it's going to be compatible.

If I've got larger...errrr....'last minute changes in design detail'.... to fill, these days I tend to use epoxy resin with some filler powder in it, but Timbermate filler (Bunnies again) works well too.

I think the minwax would tend to give you a bit of a colour shift over most paints - I'd stick with clear acrylic topcoat (especially if you have splashed out on a compressor) as you can buff this with automotive buffing compound for a good piano finish.

[Bmachine]

Thanks very much Master!

I am renting an apartment right now so I REALLY like the idea of the wipeon poly. So a spray gun is just not in the cards right now. I will have to spray the color coats no matter what and that is bad enough. If I can do the clear as wipeon it would make life a whole lot easier.

I would also really like to use the water based one in order to get no amber tinting.

Bo