Body Finishes / Carbon Fiber Look

[R.I.P.]

I don’t know if there I much to add to this thread, but I thought I would share a project I just finished.

This is a Ray34CA. When I purchased the bass I didn’t think the Slab Body would be much of a bother. After owning it for about 8 months I felt that I wanted to keep the bass but the body style wasn’t for me.

So I decided to do some wood work in the forearm area to provide some relief and also in the belly area to lighten up the bass.

After I did the wood work I didn’t want to go with the usual natural or paint finishes, so I decided to go with a Carbon Fiber look. The next step was how to do it.

After researching air brushing and carbon fiber wrap. I was introduced to Hydro Dipping as a possibility.

The end result is a Hydro Dipped, Carbon Fiber look body with vintage jazz knobs and Grover tuners. P/U and preamp are stock.

Pics of before and after shots below

I hope you like it.

[Bass Lady]

Love the new look. Great job.

[BassApprentice]

How weird, I just started a topic on dipping a bass this afternoon too.

Where did you get the stuff to hydro dip your bass from?

[dannybuoy]

That looks cool, it'd look killer with a Status neck! For those of us that cannot be bothered to google it, is it a simple process that's easy to achieve at home?

[Paul S]

Very interesting. I have a 'project' Washburn Quantum that needs a refin. but all those angles scare me This could be the answer.

Do you lacquer it afterwards?

[R.I.P.]

[quote name='BassApprentice' timestamp='1440085103' post='2848179']
How weird, I just started a topic on dipping a bass this afternoon too.

Where did you get the stuff to hydro dip your bass from?
[/quote]
I noticed that to after I created this thread. I love the dip by the way.

Well, I did not do the Hydro Dipping myself. There are a few shops in town that was willing to take on the challenge.

But there are kits available that you can do this type of work at home. The ones I seen were for mostly smaller items but I'm sure the are larger kits for guitars and such.

Edited August 20, 2015 by R.I.P.

[R.I.P.]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1440085718' post='2848187']
Very interesting. I have a 'project' Washburn Quantum that needs a refin. but all those angles scare me This could be the answer.

Do you lacquer it afterwards?
[/quote]

From what I was told they did several clear coats. It's a very solid durable finish. Just like as if it were painted.

Total cost if anyone is curious was $175.00 (U.S. money)

Edited August 20, 2015 by R.I.P.

[dannybuoy]

A quick google search turned up these guys:

[url="http://www.hydro-graffix.co.uk/"]http://www.hydro-graffix.co.uk/[/url]
http://www.wickedcoatings.co.uk/

They have examples of camo and carbonand others... no bass/guitar examples that I can see but looks like they could do it. I wonder if they could do tort?! With a sunburst scratchplate....

Edited August 20, 2015 by dannybuoy

[R.I.P.]

There you go! Its pretty awesome stuff, with a lot of different patterns / designs you can choose from.

If you look into it more, let us know the costs

[BassApprentice]

I've sent Wicked Coatings a message asking about guitar bodies and if they can do solid colours rather than the patterned "films" so we'll see what they say

[DarkHeart]

I looked into this last year but at the time thought it was too expensive to justify it on a Westone Quantum that id rebuilt myself, im actually going to see an airbrush guy in the morning with the same bass

[ubit]

It's an awesome effect and looks great on your bass. I might have to look into this myself as I am interested in another build.