Modulator Paint Kit
$15
Paint your outer black magnet to match the color of your instrument.
Description
Paint Kit Instructions
Paint Kit Instruction Sheet.pdf
STEP 1. Keep your black outer magnet from moving around while painting:
Place the outer magnet onto the sheet of white paper on your work table, with its felt side down. Next, place your modulator on the underside of the table, felt side up (as shown). You can also attach the black magnet, felt side down, to any piece of flat metal you find handy in your workspace.
Use the white sheet of paper under the magnet to catch any paint and to help you gauge color more accurately. Keep the kit’s plastic bag handy for mixing your glazes on later.
STEP 2. Apply the base (wood) color:
With the magnet secured in place on the white paper, begin to apply the opaque base color. Work carefully to avoid getting too much paint on the attached black felt, but don’t worry if paint touches the felt a little. Try to get the brush strokes on the top all in a line to mimic wood grain. A little bit of texture and underlying black showing through adds dimension and greater camouflage to the finished product. Let dry completely, about 30 minutes. Immediately wash the paint brush in soap and water, and blot it dry onto a paper towel.
STEP 3. Apply the first color coat.
Place the cellophane bag on top of the white paper to use as a pallet for mixing the glazes. The presence of the white paper will give you a better read on the colors as you mix. You have three transparent colors to work with: Yellow, Red, and Brown.
Is your instrument predominantly brown, yellow or red? Start with putting a healthy dab of that color on your pallet, as shown below. You can adjust the first color by using one of the others to get closer to the color of your instrument. For a more orange hue, begin with yellow and add only tiny amounts of red.
Most instruments have a brown component to the varnish, so adding at least a little brown is a good idea.
When applying the first transparent color coat to the magnet, don’t worry too much if the underlying naked wood color is showing through. Let it dry at least 30 minutes. Clean your brush again and blot dry onto a paper towel.
STEP 4. Apply the second color coat.
Because the colors are a transparent glaze (as is your instrument’s varnish), they get darker with each coat. Further, you can adjust the overall look by layering different colored coats. If your first coat was too far in one direction, you can move it in another direction with a different color and then your second coat is where you can really get it right.
You can even add a third color layer if you aren’t satisfied after the second color coat, although two color coats are usually enough.
Once you are satisfied with the final color, allow the paints to dry for at least 4 hours before handling gently. Clean the brush and place the caps on the paint cups. Keep the remaining paints on hand for touch ups in the future.