Covering crack

[kevinplarson]

I’m getting a crack structurally repaired on my first guitar - an off-white 12 string Ovation. I think it will still be visible.

I’ve thought about having an artist paint something small over it.

As the guitar has a sound rosette that almost looks Celtic I’ve thought about some kind of Celtic decal (or something again painted).

But for either - and would love some thoughts on what might be best - is there a coating I can put over it that would make it last? I don’t want to put another finish on the whole guitar. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[mirwa]

Photos?, Need to see what you have first, covering cracks is one of my specialties

Steve

[hat]

oh! Sorry, I thought this was going to be an ad for Hanes underwear!

[kevinplarson]

Apparently the guy fixing it got the crack to come together flat and flush.

I'm having trouble uploading photos. I'm trying to link them from flickr.

[IMG]<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/52233662@N03/50164110946/in/dateposted-public/" title="Ovation2"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50164110946_a718091d50_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1536" alt="Ovation2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>[/IMG]

[IMG]<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/52233662@N03/50164362427/in/dateposted-public/" title="Ovation1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50164362427_f06a942b99_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1536" alt="Ovation1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>[/IMG]

[mirwa]

Its a solid coloured top, whilst not easy its not overly difficult either, you need to build the split back to a smooth surface, once its smooth spray a coat of white of the same shade over the split and then a few clear coats for protection.

If you have never done it before, its possibly best not to do it yourself
Steve

[kevinplarson]

I have an artist who is willing to paint something over the crack. She is extremely good.

Question is - what kind of paint? What kind of finish over the top?

Acrylic?
Poly?

[David Eastwood]

Here are your pictures

[phavriluk]

A nice pine tree?

[kevinplarson]

Probably gonna make it a vine. Any advice on paint and finish would be appreciated.

[mirwa]

If you have never painted or touched up guitar paint before I would advise against it, maybe put a sticker over it or similiar.

If you have someone that can paint a design with a paint brush, then just scuff the surface and away you go.

Colour matching itself is a hard skill to acquire, add to that then being able to paint without witness lines is another hard skill to acquire.

I can post photos if you want showing step by step how to colour match but its really not an easy thing to do

Steve

[phavriluk]

Perhaps that image can be applied to clear pickguard material? Should OP wish to apply another image, no problem, peel and stick.

[kevinplarson]

Thanks. Not planning to color match. A gifted, experienced artist-friend is going to put a vine over the crack and maybe add something else somewhere else. I just am wondering what kind of paint and also how to clear coat after.

[RoyBoy]

I'd wait until the luthier gets done to worry about it. There'll likely be a few small holes (1/32") on the crack line where he/she uses tuning machine jacks to pull the crack closed and cleat it during gluing.

Other than that, I think you may be surprised at how nicely the crack closes up, and there are artist's colors available to match that color of the top.

[kevinplarson]

It’s already done and the crack is still very visible.

[kevinplarson]

I like the way it turned out. [emoji3]