Butterscotch Tele body for cheap

[CostlyTrick]

I ordered a Tele kit from GuitarFetish  it was dirt cheap ($89.95) so I figured... hey, why not.

 

I want to tackle the look of the American Vintage '52 Tele. I am completing this project with a family member and I only have a few days to do so, therefore, I will not be able to order any kinds of paint (stuck with Home Depot, Menards, Lowes and that crap... ) I want the butterscotch look for under $20. I know there is some good spray gloss stoff for like $5 and such. But I need to know what kind of stain/paint and stuff to use. Do I need primer? What grain filler can I use? Sorry for the n00b q's... this is my first Tele build.

 

Forgot to add. The body is Paulownia

[tvvoodoo]

without seeing the body on your budget macguyvering it, here is what I suggest.

Darken any grain with thick v. dark instant coffee solution.

lightly sand back with 300.

three rounds egg white grain filler (google it), sand smooth with 300/400

one can of krylon gloss True Taupe - Spray it dry, like far away. like two feet or more.

Super light and even coverage so you can still see the grain a bit.

let dry for three days in sun and wind. No clearcoat.

Buff it out with some old jeans.

When you put hardware on it, it will stick to the uncured paint, and pull paint if you

ever remove it. Guitar refinishes should never be rushed. Just saying.

 

This may look ok from five feet or more away, but won't have much staying power.

 

Good luck.

 

also, if you want to do it RIGHT, google reranch 101