RF Custom - Guitar Finishing

RobFleet · April 2022

Hi there..

Just want to let everyone know that my new spray shop is now officially up and running ( as of the 1st April ). I have been mentioned on here before and have had some past customers put up some great comments and photos, which was nice.

As I get going, ill start posting photos that may interest you all and happy to give out help and advice on finishing work you may be interested in.

For those of you that are wondering who I am, I'm Rob ( Fleet ) and I worked for 18 years at the Sims Spray Shop in Kent as there guitar sprayer. Over the years I've been involved with many projects for companies like Fender and have worked closely with many UK companies that are active on here. With the closure of the Sims Spray Shop back in January, I decided to carry on and set up on my own, under my own company name of RF Custom.

Thanks and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Cheers

Rob.

www.rfcustom.co.uk/

Jim · April 2022

Hi Rob,
I'm always on the lookout for refinishing places so good to see a new one! Especially if you're ex Sims as we all know the high quality work they put out. What kind of turnaround are we looking at?

RobFleet · April 2022

Hi there @Jim ;

The quickest turnaround on spraywork, which would be for a modern 2k poly, high gloss, is about 4 weeks at present. I do also offer a modern 2k Acrylic finish, which is mainly for very light, colour sensitive finishes. This usually takes an extra few weeks because of the longer application and curing time. Nitro finishes also fall under this timeframe also, so about 4 - 6 weeks for Acrylic and Nitro.

Hope this all helps and feel free to contact me for any particular jobs you are thinking about.

Thanks

Rob
RF Custom

Jim · April 2022

I'm very tempted! I'm a big fan of modern high gloss finishes.
Also interested in the custom neck options too! Would you be able to roughly copy a neck profile? I have a couple of 90s Ibanez necks that I'm particularly attached to but would like them on different guitars.
That said, until later this year this is all daydreaming!

RobFleet · April 2022

Yes i would be able to copy a neck profile if i have the neck here. I have a few different back profiles and could modify one of them to suit your neck. There may be a slight charge for computer work, if I'm making a new Cad file, but that would depend how different it is to what i use. If its only slight, then it could be done within the sanding process.

Thanks

Rob

RobFleet · May 2022

A few pics of recent jobs that I've been working on. A nice trans blue body, for Stormshadow Guitarworks and a burnt orange candy colour on one of my own test Strat bodies. The orange Strat is pre top coat, as soon as its all lacquered and polished, ill upload a pic so you can see the difference.

https://www.facebook.com/rfcustomuk/photos/pcb.350384203824637/350384163824641/
https://www.facebook.com/rfcustomuk/photos/pcb.350384203824637/350384167157974
https://www.facebook.com/rfcustomuk/photos/a.141339924729067/344166884446369/

Jim · May 2022

Stunning work!

TTony · May 2022

Embedding the pics here - just because they're too wow to hide behind a link

Blacksheep · May 2022

I have known Rob for years and he is not only a top notch craftsman but also a thoroughly nice bloke.

FelineGuitars · May 2022

Ok - a couple of ones from last year - these are in stock and for sale in case you fall in love with them

Monty's PAFs in this one

BKP Abraxas in this slimmer Lion

This one has Cream T Whiskerbuckers

This one has Cream T Bernie Buckers

Fatboylim · May 2022

Brilliant that we can access industry grade work like yours. A quick question, are you open to semi acoustic and acoustic guitar nitro finishes?

FelineGuitars · May 2022

RobFleet · May 2022

Hi there @Fatboylim ;

I generally work on solid bodied guitars and basses, but have sprayed quite a few acoustics over the years. Re-spraying acoustic fronts that already have bridges glued on, does cause issues with polishing as you get a textured area close up to the bridge where the polishing mop can get to. I'm happy to run through details of issues, if you wanted to email something you have in mind.

Rob.

RobFleet · May 2022

Thanks @TTony for uploading the images. I'm new to forums and haven't worked out how to embed them in a post as yet. Ill try and work that out for the next lot of photos I get together!

Rob.

RobFleet · June 2022

A recent colour lacquer encapsulation.
Quite an old Jem body that didn't have a proper protective finish. Now it does and will last for years to come..

http://www.facebook.com/rfcustomuk/photos/pcb.366825972180460/366825902180467
https://www.facebook.com/rfcustomuk/photos/pcb.366825972180460/366825908847133

bloodandtears · June 2022

RobFleet said:

A recent colour lacquer encapsulation.
Quite an old Jem body that didn't have a proper protective finish. Now it does and will last for years to come..

http://www.facebook.com/rfcustomuk/photos/pcb.366825972180460/366825902180467
https://www.facebook.com/rfcustomuk/photos/pcb.366825972180460/366825908847133

I suspect this was a recent swirl done by Richard Fay.. he isn't clear coating currently... you could have a bit of work via that route... how much did you charge to clear lacquer this guitar?

RobFleet · June 2022

For a job like this, which was a clear coat over the swirled body, i charge £250 to fully encapsulate the swirl with a hard durable 2k lacquer. My usual clear coat charge is £295, for say a clear over a bare wood body.

I believe this was quite an old body and the swirl was done by another company, although not sure if Richard Fay was involved with that particular company.

Rob..

Jim · June 2022

Just out of interest, what would be the ballpark figure to strip & refinish a neck-thru strat shape?
Say just a solid colour like Seafoam Green. The ones I have my eye on are currently matte black on the body, neck, headstock... Everywhere.

RobFleet · June 2022

@Jim ;
I charge £155.00 to strip a full set neck guitar.
To respray a set neck in a solid colour, prices start from around £485.00
Feel free to email with photos etc.. just so I can see the guitar and make sure pricing is correct.

Many thanks

Rob
RF Custom

rob@rfcustom.co.uk

Jim · June 2022

Thanks Rob, that's a great price. I paid something similar for a body & headstock face previously.
I haven't got the guitar yet, still looking at my options

RobFleet · August 2022

Another durable high gloss top coat applied to a Richard Fay swirled Jem body.

RobFleet · August 2022

This was a special project!
Done back in July 2022 for the artist Sam Fender and commissioned by Fender Europe as a gift to Sam.

Sesh · August 2022

I bet he can get a good toon out of that!

RobFleet · November 2022

A recent Warwick bass body sprayed in a black base with gold metal flakes

RobFleet · November 2022

Had a very busy summer with spray work here at RF Custom.
Here are a few Feline guitars that were sprayed a few months back.

RobFleet · November 2022

Jim · January 2023

RobFleet said:

A recent Warwick bass body sprayed in a black base with gold metal flakes

Stunning work! I always wonder with finishes such as these, how they look under natural lighting. I.e. when I have it in front of me. Not saying your photos are deceptive by any means, just wondering how guitars like that would look in my room.

RobFleet · August 2023

RobFleet · August 2023

RobFleet · August 2023

This was a re-fin on a Suhr neck. Complete strip and respray with a new logo and a satin top coat

RobFleet · August 2023

Howdy, Stranger!

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