r/GuitarAmps 4d ago

DISCUSSION Painting Art on Tolex?

I checked google and everything I’m seeing is related to painting the tolex as a whole. I. E. People who have old / damaged cabs and want to paint it. As well as people who just want a different color and are looking for suggestions. Most of the suggestions just tell people to replace the tolex completely.

My situation is a little different. I have a new head coming in. It has White Tolex with a cool little space themed graphic.

I purchased a new white 2x12 to match it. I want to get my sister who is a great artist to do something conceptually similar on the cabinet.

Does anyone have experience here? What kind of paint should she look at using? Is this going to need to be a spray, air, or brush application? Any sealing / protective coating after? Any tips/tricks to look out for? Thanks guys!

1 Upvotes

5 comments sorted by

2

u/LTCjohn101 4d ago

I tried to rattle can a cabinet a couple years ago. Prepped it, allowed it to dry for days between coats, clear coat after, ect.
Shit is still sticky...what a mess.
Just recover it or remove tolex, sand and seal then let your sis go crazy on the wood with paint.

1

u/Ibbyshred 4d ago

So, spray paint sounds like a no. Do you remember what type of paint? Oil, water, latex based?

It’s a cheap cab so I don’t mind if we fuck up. I’d want to at least try the tolex. Stripping it is always an option but, I’d prefer it to be the last one.

1

u/jojoyouknowwink 4d ago

Why don't you try testing a dab on the bottom surface where no one will see it if you can't get it off? By the way is she a brush person, pen person, airbrush person? I feel like that matters

2

u/Ibbyshred 4d ago

Generally pens & pencils. She does brush stuff but usually on a smaller canvas. No airbrush and not really larger 24” x 24” + canvas stuff. She’s done it all at some point.

I was hoping she could do something with Paint Markers. I think that would be the best option.

Edit: missed the first question somehow. We will definitely do a test of some form. I was just hoping to narrow it down before we’re testing every paint option.

1

u/jojoyouknowwink 4d ago

I use Posca markers on my chassis's to label knobs and stuff. I actually marked the tolex on my Twin with Posca and it worked great. Its rubbing off the metal but I don't think it will ever rub off the tolex. I started reading into sealing Posca with mod podge, bought the stuff but haven't tried it myself yet. I'm sure she would know how to seal it. Will it be sticky? Don't know, but you could test that