Another "Parts-Rite" ... Completed with pics

[GattonFan]

Hey, Mel. Yes - I had the parts nickel plated at a place close by ($48 for tailpiece, arm, rocker, and the string guide you graciously provided) - The headstock pic was before I buried the decal in the clear lacquer - still has to be wetsanded and polished out. I'm attempting to make a "Nokie model" decal that I can use, also. It's so cold here now, it's interfering with my painting process ... but I can wait - long as it comes out right.

[GattonFan]

More photos of the parts I bought from Curtis. The pickups I sent directly to Ed for rework.










Neck I had to do a little repair on ...




Threaded rods on the string retainer/rocker


Unsanded body - had to shape the routes


Pickups -


I'll post more as I get nearer completion ...

[GattonFan]

Anyone have any suggestions about the best type of paint for coloring that black area on the Vibramute tailpiece? Any special prep before painting the metal? Thanks!

Dennis

[Dennisthe Menace]

Anyone have any suggestions about the best type of paint for coloring that black area on the Vibramute tailpiece?
Any special prep before painting the metal? Thanks!
Dennis

Dennis,
I would guess that when these were being made for the early Models, they probably had just one person hand paint these
along with some other parts that needed to be assembled. When Semie refinned my '63, I had noticed that the Black Paint
was sort of a Semi-Gloss Black, kind of a shiny Black that wasn't buffed out. On my others with the Vibramute, they looked
more Flat-Black, but I'm not sure if they faded out over time, soooo

[GattonFan]

Painted the body, shot first of many clear coats. Had some problem with blushing (tried to paint in high humidity), now under control **whew** ...





And, masked off the Vibramute and painted the inner area, then buffed with jeweler's rouge ...

[Dennisthe Menace]

Dude!!! That came out NICE!!
Dennis, what color Blue did you use to paint
the inner cavity of the Vibramute Base Plate?

[GattonFan]

That is Duplicolor #T401, "Bahama Blue" ... and thanks for the comment .... The weather is causing delays in completion - I'm shooting everything outside, and Missouri winters aren't cooperative ...

[kotadawg]

Are you using paint in a spray can or are you using a paint gun? I'm thinking about purchasing a kit and was wondering what the best painting method is.

[GattonFan]

I'm using good ol' Duplicolor for the primer and color, Deft nitro for the clear coats, and I used Minwax Polycrylic for the base and sand and seal, Bartley's for the grainfill. All rattle cans ...

[GattonFan]

I am getting near completion on this "PartsRite" Nokie model, the parts bought from Curtis Muldoon. Seems like it's taking a while, but I think it will be worth it. Some pix ...












Dennis ...