Modding a squier P bass

[Grouchate]

Hello everyone!
I didn't really know where to put this thread so i just started it in off topic 

I've been playing my trusty squier p-bass for a year and half now, it's in a red sparkly finish with a white pick guard. As much as i fell in love at first sight when i bought it, i think it's time for a major change: new pikcups, new bridge, new nut, and maybe even a new color.
As far as other component go, i decided to put on a badass bridge to replace the stock one, and a bone nut that i wil cut myself (the one that is on now is cut too deeply and the E string is too low, i didn't do the job myself) and some passive pikcups (probably SD).
 

But my main question is another one: will i be able, without spending a fortune on spray cans and whatnot, to replicate the same "translucent" paint (like see throught blond)?
I will sand off the entire old paint to the wood, then primer it and start with the color. I don't really now how can i achieve the wood grain to be seen. Probably less paint in the middle and and more on the sides, like a 1 tone sun burst, and the just lacquer everything?

And for the pick guard, what can i use to paint on plastic?
 

The body will probably be re-finished white (whit matching headstock) and the pickguard black)

 

thanks for the answers

 

[Williamchan87]

I don't think spray painting it is the best choice, unless you are using a air brush with car paint.

try http://reranch.com/products.htm http://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/nitrocellulose-lacquer/ or Clou Waterbeits

 

if you google see through blonde paint guitars someone in a forum wrote:

If you just want a tint, but have it translucent, you can mix aniline dye, reduced in lacquer thinner, with clear lacquer to achieve a see-through color.

 

http://www.ehow.com/how_8171628_refinish-guitar-wood-blonde-finish.html

[Williamchan87]

I personally own a Gibson Thunderbird and a Fender Jazz Bass Japan (which looks like this one)

[beebskadoo]

Don't use spray paint, it will suffocate the wood and you'll run into a lot of issues.

[Grouchate]

I personally own a Gibson Thunderbird and a Fender Jazz Bass Japan (which looks like this one)

 

-snip-

Yeah, i wanted to go for that look, hoping that the wood grain will be kinda nice ^^

 

Don't use spray paint, it will suffocate the wood and you'll run into a lot of issues.

i guees i have to use wood-related paint (i don't know the term in english, but kinda like the one used for furniture? for the same look of the bass above)

[Williamchan87]

You wont get one that looks like that, cause I dont think you have the right wood

[Grouchate]

You wont get one that looks like that, cause I dont think you have the right wood

yes i now, i'll probably have low-grade maple, but since the paint cracked in some spots (my bad) you can see the grain. Even if it's not that amazing i'm ok with it

[Williamchan87]

ya i believe they use basswood in the p bass so its light in colour, any ways probably use a super light coat of blonde paint mixed in with paint thinner, let it dry, and clear coat it, there is a eHow link which teaches basics.