painting letters on a pickguard

[ch willie]

I'm going to paint some word onto a pickguard, if it's possible to do it so that it doesn't rub off.

What would the best type of paint be? I can't sand an area, because I can't sand the letters, so will any paint stick and stay?

[Cogs]

I would only do that if I were going to cover or coat it w/something, & in that case you can use about anything. I'd go oil based.

[ch willie]

Thanks. I'll try that.

[chuckocaster]

Why not back paint a clear guard?

[ch willie]

I'm only going to put three word on the guard. The guard is vinyl "brushed silver" and the letters have to go on it. I'm going to have to create a stencil and do it all right the first time.

[melody]

Trace out the letter's on the PG carefully sand the area to be painted prime with an acrylic bonding primer have it tinted to the same color as finish if possible. Then put a good enamel finish over the top...Pleas post a pic when you are done..

[ch willie]

Thanks. To complicate things, I'm thinking of actually painting on the guitar. The phrase is "so it goes" + the character *--references to Kurt Vonnegut. Nothing garish, just small and understated, like a tasteful tattoo.

[ch willie]

Would I be better off putting on a clear background decal and then putting clear coat over it?

[tugboat]

What about getting a clear pickguard, painting the phrase on the back, then painting matte silver on top (bottom?) of the phrase?

[ch willie]

I've decided now not to do it on the guitar. This is what I'm going for, and I want to keep the existing pickguard.