It seems for many of you the biggest concern is taking apart the instrument and then putting it back together. Don't worry! Often the first time doing something new can be daunting, that just means it might be worth trying! Perhaps for your first custom painted uke project, use a cheap instrument instead of your favorite one. I put a new video on my page that describes step by step how to re-string your uke. This was the hardest part for me to learn, but definitely worth the trouble. I play my ukes A LOT. If I don't replace my strings every couple of months, they start to sound a bit dull. The other thing to remember is that you can always go into your local music shop and ask for help. Sometimes it's just easier to learn something in person!
@@diptipatil7696 Oh noooo! but don't panic 🤗 Without seeing specifically what the problem is, I recommend lightly sanding and spraying again. If you would like to email me a pic, perhaps I can be of more help to your situation? sethcre8s@me.com
same it gives me anxiety, as for beginner like me, I always think that maybe i might put it wrong or ill ruined everything. Will i able to fix it like the original. So many questions on my mind
Tsuchi I apologize for delayed reply! Many things worth doing are often a little scary the first time. I have recommended to some, to find a very cheap ukulele to start on. If it comes out nice you can give it away as a very thoughtful gift. You will learn a few things during the process and discover what you like and don’t like. Then you can move on to a nicer ukulele or many! I have painted nearly 200 now! Take your time and be patient with yourself. If you only ever do what is easy you may never learn what can be great! Let me know if you have specific questions. ~Seth
I have a new video on my page that shows step by step how to re-string your ukulele. Also remember, you can always take your instrument into a music store and ask for help too!
Wow never seen something so beautiful on ukuleles. Should i only use that paint or can i use any spray paint? And will the uke sound the same after painting?
ps4_drifter hi! Thanks for the compliments! Please watch the whole video as I answer both of those questions! There is no limit to the materials you can put on an uke, however, the thicker/heavier the material, the more likely it is to change the sound of the instrument. The materials I use are tried and true, and work best for me without changing the sound of the uke. Feel free to ask more questions if ya need!
@@sethcre8s It really makes no difference to the sound? Playing them before and after for comparison would have helped. For anybody into their music, it's important to know. Most of the sound stems from the top board from what I read.
I just got my first uke yesterday and have been interested in painting it (I have wanted one for a while) but it scares me to take is apart. I kind of just want to make it more my own. Is there anything I can do without taking off the strings/disassembling it?
Lemon Bee congratulations! You can certainly do some decorating without taking it apart. I’d recommend some kind of permanent marker like a Sharpie or similar. Whatever you do, just have fun with it and don’t worry too much! Many people have told me they are scared to take apart their precious ukes... I was scared the first time too. I was also scared the first time I rode a bike or drove a car... It’s not that scary once you try!... it can even be fun! I have another video that shows you step by step how to re-string your uke. If all else fails, you can always ask for help or take it to a local music shop where someone will be happy to assist. 😊👍 good luck! ~Seth
A few tips: Use masking fluid to mask small or intricate areas. A stiff brush like an old toothbrush is a good way to add fine stars etc, just apply a little paint to the brush and flick it. Sanding the wood in the same direction as the grain will give better results. Unsure of your artistic ability? Try painting a spare piece of wood or even cardboard as practice. Hope this helps.
You’re so motivational! I was thinking The same thing is most of these other people. I was a little anxious to take mine apart and do it but after reading your comments of positive thinking I’m ready to work!
Julia Fliier hi! I’m so glad you found this video and comments helpful 😊👍 To be honest, I was very surprised at how many people are afraid of taking their uke apart. I’m more afraid of oncoming traffic! 🤷♂️ There is a recent video I posted that goes over re-stringing an uke that you might find helpful too. Best wishes and happy playing!
I’m twelve years old and I SUCK at art. Is there a way that you can maybe make a video where you make an abstract pattern uke? I play the uke and I’d like to have a “signature look” for mine, but they’re oh so expensive from any shop, and I’d like to decorate it with my dad, who is IMPECCABLE with any type of art. I’d love to do an abstract pattern on my ukulele, but I have a “too much gene,” and it wouldn’t look very good if I didn’t have something to follow along. I love your videos and would find it very helpful if you could make an abstract video...?
Stella, I love your message and I will certainly consider making another video. In the meantime, you can't suck at art. It is simply a self expressive form of communication! It's interpreted different by everyone! If I draw a stick figure it might not be considered good art these days, but when the first one was put on a cave wall, it was the best art anyone had ever seen! Make your mark and be proud of anything you make because you are the only one that can do it the way you do! The hardest part is just starting, even for me, every project is the same because we all have the same silly little voice that tries to tell us what we can't do. Don't listen to it! Just create! The more you make, the more you learn and find the things that you like. I am still learning every day, but only if I try something new! -Seth
Geometric designs are simple to perform and VERY customizable! You can put painters tape in any way you like, and then sponge on the colors with acrylics so the colors don't become super thick but opaque! Take off the tape and you're left with pretty geometric art :)
By far one if the most informative tutorials for painting, disassembling and reassembling the uke. Much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent.
Hello! I love this video so much as it gives a lot of information and inspiration for painting ukulele. Since I’m planning to paint one, I’d like to ask, if I’m going to use acrylic paint, can I use the typical acrylic glossy varnish to brush on the uke for the final coat after painting? or I must use the spray one like u did? thank you!!
Alya Kusumaningrum hi! I’m glad you like the video and find it helpful! You have a good question and the simple answer is yes, you can brush on a clear varnish over acrylic paint. I chose not to with these ukuleles because the paint pens I used will sometimes smudge with brush on varnish. Hope this helps! Have fun and let me know if you have any other questions! ~Seth
Lucien Midnight yea same! I’ve already customised one and I have another that I wanna make a pride one, what should I use so the paint doesn’t chip? Someone said hairspray is that true
@@stars_3. maybe try making it bi patterned and then doing an overlay of like a mountain scene twilight thingy ? like with the colors of a twilight sky and then with mountains over it? I've done it before ':>
Loved the tutorial! Thankyou for sharing your amazing creativity. I wanted to paint my uke and this tutorial is inspiring. Can you please give some more information on using sand paper or some common mistakes a beginner can avoid while trying to paint one? Thanks and keep up the great work!
Thanks! I’m glad the tutorial is helpful. The sanding part of the process is to help the paint stick. Most ukes have some kind of sealant, stain, or gloss coating when they are new. I wanted my painted ukes to last and be played. Wear and tear is natural if you play a lot. So, I found that sanding before painting really helps. You don’t have to take off the entire finish, it just needs to be lightly sanded with a fine grit. Sand paper that is too rough will leave deep scratch marks. My next best recommendation is to have fun! Experiment! My first uke was very precious (I still have it) but I’ve painted MANY since.
@@sethcre8s thanks. I have been fixing violins etc for years so not afraid to take anything apart. Those Makalas are decent inexpensive ukuleles. I have several kalas. Great for the price.
Heya love these ukuleles! What kind of clear coat did you use? Was it paint varnish or wood varnish? Sorry if my question comes across as dumb lol I painted my ukulele but the paint chips off if I try peeling it(dumb I know).
Hi! Only dumb questions are the ones that don’t get asked! It is best to lightly prep the surface of the uke with a fine sandpaper. This helps the paint stick. The clear coat then helps protect the paint (I use a spray on clear coat by Rustoleum). Typically, without the light sanding, the varnish and paint can scratch off. Hope this helps! Have fun! ~seth
Elizabeth Blackey thanks! Give it a try! Ya never know until ya try! Maybe use some stencils for your first project? Just have fun, that’s what’s important! ~Seth
Hello! I love your video. I just got my ukulele this Christmas and I wanted to make it more my own :) Small question though, do I need to remove my strings or anything if I am only planning on painting the back of my ukulele not the front? Thanks! - A Simple Ukulele beginner
Jolie Pagan awesome! If you are painting only the back of the uke then there is no need to take the strings or tuning pegs off. Simply tape off the areas that you do not want to get paint on. Good luck & have fun!
I’m so glad you made this video. I’ve watched many tutorials and prefer yours over all. I bought the exact same ukelele for my boyfriend and I plan to custom paint it for him for Christmas.
sarah marie I’m so glad you like my video! If come up with any questions, let me know! I’d love to see the uke you paint for your boyfriend when you finish! Happy holidays! ~Seth
Thank you! Do you ever paint the backs and sides of your ukes? I really wanted to paint at least the back too but since it will need to sound nice I don’t want to mess that up. Thanks for your advice!
sarah marie absolutely! Paint the whole thing if you like! The only part I stay away from painting is the fret board, the saddle, and the nut. It’s a little tricky painting the curved sides but looks really unique when the design wraps all the way around the instrument. When clear coating the whole uke, I found it easiest to hang the uke from a hook through the tuning peg hole. I made hooks of out wire clothing hangers. See my “sethcre8s” Facebook page, in my “painted objects” album for some reference pics if you like!
Thanks! I actually really like how it looks with just the front painted. My issue has been finding something to use that will properly write or whatever on the spray paint other than my spray paint since I want to be more detailed than stenciling will allow. I got some nice water based markers and they don’t stay and just bead up on the spray painted surface. I’ll probably have to use acrylic paint and brushes despite not really wanting to. So set backs but otherwise everything has gone smoothly.
You can try lightly sanding the spray paint or using a matte finish spray paint. Basically when painting on any surface, especially with water based materials, that surface needs to be have something for the paint to grab onto. In other words, water based materials have a hard time adhering to glossy surfaces. You can also try paint pens.
Hi! Very interesting watching your video, but just one thing... I have a very cheap eko soprano ukulele student, painted with a polyurethane painting. Is it necessary to remove it in order to use a spray to just change entirely the color from a light blu to a darker blue tone? Thank you :)
Aloha Nicolò, you do not need to remove the original finish. I do recommend giving it light sanding though. This helps the fresh paint stick better and will prevent chipping and peeling later. Hope that helps! Good luck! -Seth
Wooow, this job is wonderfull! Could you do and send me a list of materials? I'm Brazilian and unfortunaly I can't understand all the steps that you've done.
Thank you! I will try to help... 1. Take apart the uke. 2. Prepare uke for paint by sanding lightly. 3. Mask off areas you don't want to paint. 4. Draw on uke with pencil. 5. Paint with acrylic, markers, pencils, etc... (I prefer water based materials) The pens I am using in this video are made by Posca (I am quite sure they are available in Brazil, I have to order mine on-line). Allow to dry thuroughly! 6. Clear coat - I use a clear spray, however, there are some that you can brush on (just be careful not to smear your painting). Allow to dry thuroughly! 7. Remove masking tape carefully and use light sandpaper to clean up edges. 8. Re-assemble your uke, tune it up, and play! If you have other questions, let me know! -Seth
just curious, is it possible to paint a laminate ukulele? if so, do i still need to sand it and stuff or is the process the same as painting a wooden ukulele? i really want to paint one of my ukuleles but i don't really want to paint a wooden one because i don't want to mess up or paint a wooden one in general, considering all of mine are already so pretty.
Hi! First of all, don’t worry, I mess up all the time! Sometimes the mess ups turn into the best new idea! The purpose for sanding the ukulele is to prep the surface for paint. If your laminate surface is very slick or shiny, I would suggest sanding it lightly so the paint will stick better. I hope this helps! Have fun!
__uteki hi! So happy to hear from another happy new uker! I would say that sanding the uke is not necessary. However, it is helpful if you want your artwork to be more permanent. You can certainly paint it without sanding. 😊👍 I hope this helps! Have fun! ~Seth
I love your video,i love to paint and create.and I love my ukulele s.so this is great.i am a bigginer,and learning,my ukuleles and my guitars.having fun,now this video made it much happier for me.!!👍💡😀
strawberry galaxies the sanding is an extra step that insures the paint will stick as best as possible. You can certainly paint without sanding, however the paint may scratch or peel off with time and use.
Hi! I have a question, I want to paint the fretboard of my ukulele, what do you recommend for that? Sharpies or spray paint? Thank you I love you art on ukes 🙌🏻💛
Hi and thanks! Due to wear from playing, that is a difficult part of the instrument to paint. If the uke is just for decoration, you could definitely cover it with whatever you like. If you plan on playing it, then perhaps it would be best to use a permanent ink that may seep into the grain a little. I'd be curious to hear about your results!
@@yokoday no problem, though I don't think I'm much help with this question! I have not experimented enough with painting the fretboard to give you a confident answer. I use posca on just about everything else though, so why not!?!
@@sethcre8s ok :) thank you so much, actually you Help me a lot!! With your video and your Answers. As soon i'm done with my ukulele I will let you know If a mess up 😅 Thanks again Have an awesome day! Love from México 🇲🇽💛
Where can you buy the clear coat and also someone told me you can use hairspray is that true? I just customised one of My ukuleles and I wanna make sure the paint doesn’t chip
Kryptonite hi! You can usually find a clear coat spray at most hardware or paint stores. As for hairspray, that works on drawings done with graphite or charcoal or paper. I wouldn’t recommend that for your custom uke paint job. Good luck 👍
Hi. I really want to buy and paint a ukelele, but I don’t know what ukelele to get or what spray paint to buy. I don’t want to get rust oleum spray paint because it says that you need a finish and all of the ukeleles I have found are to expensive or don’t have good reviews. Could you please tell me what spray paint and ukelele type I should get?
Kate Henriksen hi, thanks for the message! My best recommendation based on years of painting ukes is Kala Brand’s “Makala” series. They can cost around $35-$50 for a soprano, have decent intonation and are very playable. You can use any spray paint you like, however, I use Rustoleum regularly as it is good quality paint and easy to find. The finish is never “required”, just recommended to further protect your paint job. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have other questions.
Hi I tried looking up the Makala uke you suggested but I can’t find one with the neck like the ones you painted and I really like the look. Do you think you could send a link of where to buy one like yours?
Jake Mendibles good eye! I think you are probably referring to the uke at the beginning of the vid with the wave inlay? If so, that was a special custom made Uke by Ana’ole on Oahu.
Thanks a lot!! It was so fun to watch you refinishing the ukes :). Question: would you recommend using a primer before painting, especially on a laminated top? Re masking tape - I was concerned though whether the resedue might change the sound and paint getting inside when spraying. Although your artsy touch probably added some additional value to the instruments :). *** I've watched today a lot of videos on refinishing furniture (my old dream) and because my apartment is tiny thought maybe I should start from ukuleles :)), then found a video which had a link to these one. Btw I'd recommend you adding some keywords for restringing ukulele with time stamps for that.
Hello! I have a few questions. Does painting the ukelele in any way changes the sound? Does this method also apply for a guitar? Can I use just simple acrylics like the ones at my local art store? Do I have to sand the whole uke if I’m only painting a few details? What do I do if I don’t want it to be that “glossy”, but more mate as it was with the wood before painting? I’ve been wanting to paint both my uke and my guitar but I’m kind of afraid I mess the sound up. Thank you!
El Pinguinito Chingon hi! To a highly discerning ear the sound may change, very little. I have painted lots of ukes and quite a few guitars, they all still sound great! In fact the uke and guitar that you hear in this soundtrack are both painted. If you’re still worried, pick up a $100 guitar and/or a $50 uke and paint them as an experiment before moving on to a nicer instrument. Acrylics are great! Hope this helps 👍 ~Seth
SLIME N' GAMES With Jasmine and Kaden hi, thanks for the message! First of all, you don’t HAVE to do anything 😉 You can certainly paint right on your uke and acrylic would be fine for that. The purpose of sanding is to give the paint a better surface to stick to. Without sanding the paint should go on fine, however it may scratch off easily. If the uke is going to be a decoration (not to be played) you can basically skip the sanding and clear coating AND you can paint the fretboard. If the uke is going to be played and you still want to decorate it, without sanding, I recommend using Sharpie markers or something similar. They won’t scratch off easily. Hope this helps! Good luck! ~Seth
SLIME N' GAMES With Jasmine and Kaden you would have to put a whole lot of thick paint on there before there would be a noticeable difference in sound.
poetry hi! I would recommend acrylic rather than water color. However, it’s possible, if the uke is sanded enough, (pretty much bare wood, with no finish) watercolor paints may act like a stain and could look pretty cool! I have no experience with this, so it would be a fun experiment! Perhaps find a very cheap uke or even a scrap of wood to test it on. Good luck! I’d love to know how it works out for you! ~Seth
I love how your ukuleles turned out their stunning! I do have a question about the painting process though. I plan to paint an older acoustic guitar for my boyfriend's birthday instead of a ukulele, do you think your steps would still apply for an acoustic guitar? I'll be honest i'm not very musical so I wasn't sure if your steps would work for a different string instrument. Love your tutorial either way!
I’m not really an expert, I’ve been playing for 3 years and I recently painted my uke. I’d say, as long as your careful, this would totally work on a guitar! Just my thoughts tho.
The Girl With The Uke I would think the same process would apply for a guitar, but with my luck I’ll ruin the poor guitar. I may try a ukulele first then go to a guitar and see what happens. Thanks for answering me though!💕
Paul Mendoza I don’t see why not! Could be a very cool technique. However, I would certainly not want to dip a quality uke in water. I’d love to see how it turns out!
Hi! I have never used modge podge, but another viewer said they had great success with it. 😊👍 For sanding, its best to just lightly sand until you don’t see any more glossy surface where you plan to paint. Good luck, have fun!
ugh.jxli.aaa._ well that’s a tough one. My first suggestion would be to go with it, rather than fight it. Go ahead and paint the sides! Why not? Just remember to mask off any areas where you don’t want paint. Unless your ukulele sides have a hi-gloss finish, it will be difficult to remove paint. You can try paint removers, or “goo-gone”, or very fine sandpaper... all of these things may damage the finish on the sides of the uke.
Karen VanDerburgh thank you! The sealer is recommended to help protect any artwork that you put on the uke. It can also give it a nice gloss finish. However, it is not necessary for the uke to be enjoyable/playable. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions. ~Seth
In this video, I use spray on clear gloss by Rustoleum. There are many brands that make a clear spray. You can also brush on a clear varnish, but you may get smudging with your painting (depending on the material used). Hope this helps! Good luck! -Seth
@@lethiwemwendwa5655 awesome! Great questions... If the entire uke has been painted, I typically clear coat the whole instrument at one time. I mask off the fret board, sound hole, and sometimes the bridge (if I haven't already removed it). I then suspend the ukulele with hooks (made from wire clothing hanger) and lightly clear spay the whole instrument in several layers. I start with the headstock, then the sides, then the back, then front, and finish with the neck. Perhaps I should do another video?! If you'd like to email me at sethcre8s@me.com, I'd be happy to send you some more info and pics of this process.
Hi! I love this tutorial so much, it’s so helpful and creative. I just wanna day your designs are stunning! One question though, is there an alternative to sanding using sandpaper? I’m planning on painting my uke but cannot get any sandpaper at the moment.
Lorien Alvar thank you! That’s a good question! The purpose of the sandpaper is to “scuff up” the finished and often slick surface that is on a finished uke. Without scuffing that surface the paint doesn’t have as likely a chance of sticking. So, without sandpaper, you may be able to use a scouring pad (pot scrubber) or something like that? You should visibly be able to see that the surface of the uke has been finely scratched up. If this doesn’t help or work for you, send me your address and I’ll put some sandpaper in the mail for ya!
@@sethcre8s now I'm super confused! Near the end I saw you using "M3 P320" sandpaper. Do you use a different type nowadays? Or do you use different sandpaper for different parts? I know nothing about sandpaper lol. Thank you for replying!
Sanding when first painting that is, my uke is one of the cheap ones with a gloss finish (mahalo 12 fret).. if that has anything to do with it. Also, would it be okay to paint the fret board if you’d like? Thank you!
@@ohmbhatt257 aloha, I think 100 grit might be a little course and could leave scratch marks. If that doesn’t bother you then go for it, the paint will definitely stick. I don’t recommend painting the fretboard of you plan on playing the uke, as it will wear off. If it’s for decoration, then by all means paint away! Hope this helps, good luck and have fun! 🤙~Seth
@@kristinabatin8729 I recommend acrylic or water based paints as they are less toxic and easier to clean up. Try to keep your paint layers thin so it doesn't build up and dampen the sound.
I just now found this video since I’ve been considering painting my uke, but I am absolutely terrified of taking it part and putting it back together. It makes me anxious to think about not being able to put the strings on correctly and completely ruining the sound of my uke. I honestly don’t know what to do 😓
Hi Cam, thanks for the message! I originally made this video because I believe anyone can make a beautiful custom painted uke... including YOU! I have had several people comment similarly with anxiety over this kind of project. This tells me that your uke is special to you and that’s a good thing! I was nervous with my first custom uke too. Now that I’ve painted nearly 200, I hardly think about those days anymore. I may first suggest trying to experiment with a cheaper uke if you’re not comfortable working on your special one. A decent sounding uke can be purchased between $30-$50. (And would make a nice gift for someone!) While taking it apart and putting it back together may seem tricky, it is easier than you think... but you’ll never know unless you try! I did include all of these steps in this video, however if you find yourself stuck and don’t feel you are able to re-string the uke, just take it into any stringed instrument shop and they should be happy to help! Be sure to have them help you do it. If they do it for you, you won’t learn how to do it yourself! Re-stringing an uke is important to learn if you play your instrument often, as the strings will get old and dull and won’t sound as nice as new ones. I replace the strings on my main uke about every three months (I play it a lot!). Last thing I can say is, DO IT!!! Don’t worry! We do the most growing when we try something that makes us uncomfortable! I’d love to hear how it works out for you! Good luck! ~Seth
sethcre8s thank you so much for the advice and the quick reply!! Your words make me want to just give it a go! I’ll make sure to update you on whatever I end up doing, might try out what you said about buying a uke, customize it and make it a gift! Loved that idea! You’re right about having to learn about changing the strings, I hadn’t thought about the fact I’d have to learn either way to keep my uke sounding good at all times, thank you for that! This comment and video helped a lot, its is very much appreciated, and you seem like a nice guy! Thank you, again 🖤🖤
Rebecca Rogers hi, I run into this problem from time to time. It can mean a few things... 1. It’s possible the surface wasn’t sanded enough for the paint to stick thoroughly. When the clear coat goes on and dries it pulls at the surface of the paint, making it crack. 2. It’s possible the clear coat went on too thick and wasn’t able to cure evenly. If the clear-coat is thick, the surface can dry faster than what’s underneath. My best suggestion is a very light sanding with 220 grit paper. Paint over any cracked areas that are real bad. When clear-coating, make sure temperature and humidity are within labeled guidelines. Also, try to apply thinly in multiple layers. Hope this helps! ~Seth
@@sethcre8s Thank you. I got a hold of a few batches 24 carat gold leaf many years ago and after watching your video I thought that adding some of that would look great. I just feel the world could do with a ukulele adorned with gold leaf. I know that I can't use any varnish on gold leaf, but I get special advise on that.
MatCanal, not unless you are extremely harsh with your strumming. I have ukes that I painted nearly ten years ago, that get played pretty regularly, as well as go on camping, beach, airplane trips... all still have the paint on them! 👍
If you want to paint the fret board, I would still suggest giving it a light sanding before painting, and then seal it after. If the instrument is to be played, then it’s likely you can expect some wear on the painted fret board over time. Good luck!
@@sethcre8s ah tysm for responding. Im trying to paint my ukulele to be similar to Steven's ukulele in Steven Universe, and the fret board is a peach-ish colour. I dont think Ill paint it now though, Id rather not have the wear on the paint on the fret board. Ty so much for the response, I bet I would have ended up doing some crazy thing to it, lol.
I have two ukes, one from wish.com and one from guitar center. I’m planning on painting the cheaper one but I’m terrified to take it apart. I’m probably just gonna paint the corner or something lol
Basically Skeptical my custom painted ukuleles start at $300 for a soprano with a simple design. Prices go up from there depending on complexity of the paint job, and size and style of uke. There are many other examples on my Instagram page @sethcre8s.
It seems for many of you the biggest concern is taking apart the instrument and then putting it back together.
Don't worry! Often the first time doing something new can be daunting, that just means it might be worth trying! Perhaps for your first custom painted uke project, use a cheap instrument instead of your favorite one.
I put a new video on my page that describes step by step how to re-string your uke. This was the hardest part for me to learn, but definitely worth the trouble. I play my ukes A LOT. If I don't replace my strings every couple of months, they start to sound a bit dull.
The other thing to remember is that you can always go into your local music shop and ask for help. Sometimes it's just easier to learn something in person!
Hi!! I spray painted the ukulele and it shows a lot of texture maybe i didnt sand it enough 😭😭 is there any solution to it?? Thanks for the video
@@diptipatil7696 Oh noooo! but don't panic 🤗
Without seeing specifically what the problem is, I recommend lightly sanding and spraying again. If you would like to email me a pic, perhaps I can be of more help to your situation? sethcre8s@me.com
@@sethcre8s thanks you so much! Mailed you!
Taking the instrument apart is easy and putting it back together is equally easy. If anything, it will get you understanding your instrument better.
@@libelle8124 I agree!
Taking it apart gives me anxiety
Pearl the rebel don’t worry! The first time for anything is always the hardest! Take a deep breath and relax. What is it that really worries you?
same it gives me anxiety, as for beginner like me, I always think that maybe i might put it wrong or ill ruined everything. Will i able to fix it like the original. So many questions on my mind
Tsuchi I apologize for delayed reply! Many things worth doing are often a little scary the first time.
I have recommended to some, to find a very cheap ukulele to start on. If it comes out nice you can give it away as a very thoughtful gift. You will learn a few things during the process and discover what you like and don’t like. Then you can move on to a nicer ukulele or many! I have painted nearly 200 now!
Take your time and be patient with yourself. If you only ever do what is easy you may never learn what can be great!
Let me know if you have specific questions.
~Seth
I have a new video on my page that shows step by step how to re-string your ukulele.
Also remember, you can always take your instrument into a music store and ask for help too!
SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG
Wow never seen something so beautiful on ukuleles. Should i only use that paint or can i use any spray paint? And will the uke sound the same after painting?
ps4_drifter hi! Thanks for the compliments! Please watch the whole video as I answer both of those questions!
There is no limit to the materials you can put on an uke, however, the thicker/heavier the material, the more likely it is to change the sound of the instrument. The materials I use are tried and true, and work best for me without changing the sound of the uke.
Feel free to ask more questions if ya need!
@@sethcre8s thanks, thats all
Keep on working like that
Really cool art!
@@sethcre8s It really makes no difference to the sound? Playing them before and after for comparison would have helped. For anybody into their music, it's important to know. Most of the sound stems from the top board from what I read.
Thanks, I did one like the sunrise but made a few changes.. thank you for the inspiration!
Wonderful!
Im from Russian , my name Viktor and Im proud that you exist !
Keep going and I promise you will have a good youtube chanel.
Борода Плюшевая thank you Viktor, that is very nice of you to say!
i love how he says ukulele
It is the proper way to say it in Hawaii. 😊🌴 Thanks for watching!
He’s right. It’s ook. Do you sell them?
Baltimore Dude I do not have any in stock, however am happy to do custom orders.
See,, I’ve always said it as you-ku-lay-lee.... hmmmm 🤔🤔
In russian we often say exactly "ookulele". Kinda funny, huh.
It's like "укулеле".
I also want to paint up my Ukulele... your work is amazing 🤩
Thank you! I hope you create something fun too!
Thanks for your video!! I’m going to do this with mine
Always wanted to but didn’t know how. You’re awesome!!
I am very happy to her that! And thank you for the compliment. I wish you well.
~Seth
I am so glad I came across this video!
your ukuleles look like art pieces for display 🖼 I'm tempted to buy a cheaper one to try this
Yay! Do it!!!
This is awesome! I’m doing this for my girlfriend’s birthday! I’m curious- how drastically does this affect sound quality?
th-cam.com/video/UZjoJmp-9xQ/w-d-xo.html
I just got my first uke yesterday and have been interested in painting it (I have wanted one for a while) but it scares me to take is apart. I kind of just want to make it more my own. Is there anything I can do without taking off the strings/disassembling it?
Lemon Bee congratulations! You can certainly do some decorating without taking it apart. I’d recommend some kind of permanent marker like a Sharpie or similar. Whatever you do, just have fun with it and don’t worry too much!
Many people have told me they are scared to take apart their precious ukes... I was scared the first time too. I was also scared the first time I rode a bike or drove a car...
It’s not that scary once you try!... it can even be fun!
I have another video that shows you step by step how to re-string your uke. If all else fails, you can always ask for help or take it to a local music shop where someone will be happy to assist. 😊👍 good luck!
~Seth
Perhaps you could just use stencils with a makeup sponge without changing the backround, if you are happy with the look of wood in general.
Dude this is an amazing “how to” video! Answered every question I had and gave me some ideas. Thank you so much!
Very glad to hear it has been helpful for you!
A few tips:
Use masking fluid to mask small or intricate areas.
A stiff brush like an old toothbrush is a good way to add fine stars etc, just apply a little paint to the brush and flick it.
Sanding the wood in the same direction as the grain will give better results.
Unsure of your artistic ability? Try painting a spare piece of wood or even cardboard as practice.
Hope this helps.
EDcreative super, thanks!
You’re so motivational! I was thinking The same thing is most of these other people. I was a little anxious to take mine apart and do it but after reading your comments of positive thinking I’m ready to work!
Julia Fliier hi! I’m so glad you found this video and comments helpful 😊👍
To be honest, I was very surprised at how many people are afraid of taking their uke apart. I’m more afraid of oncoming traffic! 🤷♂️
There is a recent video I posted that goes over re-stringing an uke that you might find helpful too.
Best wishes and happy playing!
Nice job!
Thanks!
which kind of paint is better? spray paint or acrylic? if acrylic, should I use waterbased ones or just the normal ones?
I like both spray paint and acrylic. Generally speaking, acrylics are water based. What ever you do, have fun with it and you can’t go wrong!
I’m twelve years old and I SUCK at art. Is there a way that you can maybe make a video where you make an abstract pattern uke? I play the uke and I’d like to have a “signature look” for mine, but they’re oh so expensive from any shop, and I’d like to decorate it with my dad, who is IMPECCABLE with any type of art. I’d love to do an abstract pattern on my ukulele, but I have a “too much gene,” and it wouldn’t look very good if I didn’t have something to follow along. I love your videos and would find it very helpful if you could make an abstract video...?
Stella, I love your message and I will certainly consider making another video.
In the meantime, you can't suck at art. It is simply a self expressive form of communication! It's interpreted different by everyone!
If I draw a stick figure it might not be considered good art these days, but when the first one was put on a cave wall, it was the best art anyone had ever seen!
Make your mark and be proud of anything you make because you are the only one that can do it the way you do!
The hardest part is just starting, even for me, every project is the same because we all have the same silly little voice that tries to tell us what we can't do. Don't listen to it! Just create! The more you make, the more you learn and find the things that you like.
I am still learning every day, but only if I try something new!
-Seth
Geometric designs are simple to perform and VERY customizable! You can put painters tape in any way you like, and then sponge on the colors with acrylics so the colors don't become super thick but opaque! Take off the tape and you're left with pretty geometric art :)
This video was very helpful, and the Ukes look amazing 🙏
Thank you! I’m so glad you found it helpful!
~Seth
By far one if the most informative tutorials for painting, disassembling and reassembling the uke. Much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent.
Mish Poli thank you and keep up the good work with your young one! ❤️
I was making painting my own ukulele while watching. This is a great video! Thank you for doing a tutorial! 🙌👌😁
You are very welcome, thank you for the compliment! ~ Seth
Hello! I love this video so much as it gives a lot of information and inspiration for painting ukulele. Since I’m planning to paint one, I’d like to ask, if I’m going to use acrylic paint, can I use the typical acrylic glossy varnish to brush on the uke for the final coat after painting? or I must use the spray one like u did?
thank you!!
Alya Kusumaningrum hi! I’m glad you like the video and find it helpful! You have a good question and the simple answer is yes, you can brush on a clear varnish over acrylic paint.
I chose not to with these ukuleles because the paint pens I used will sometimes smudge with brush on varnish.
Hope this helps! Have fun and let me know if you have any other questions!
~Seth
After reading the comments, you seem like a very nice guy!
Candice M thank you, it’s a daily practice of making today better than yesterday and helping others whenever possible!
Super helpful video! My friend just got me a bare wood diy soprano uke that I really want to paint. Love that galaxy one you did.
Nayday thank you! I’d love to see what you come up with!
Absolutely love your work. I've just got into playing and making my very first ukulele. Won't be as good as yours though 😊👌🏼
Thank you and congratulations! Keep up the good work! ~Seth 🤙
I’m gonna make a pride one and a galaxy one
XxkillerslumberXx X awesome!
Lucien Midnight yea same! I’ve already customised one and I have another that I wanna make a pride one, what should I use so the paint doesn’t chip? Someone said hairspray is that true
I was gonna make a bi one but my family doesn’t know I’m bi yet so I’m not doing it ;-;
@@stars_3. maybe try making it bi patterned and then doing an overlay of like a mountain scene twilight thingy ? like with the colors of a twilight sky and then with mountains over it? I've done it before ':>
Powder Keg update: I’m not bi, I’m a lesbian now 😌
So beautiful
Love the vibrant colors.
Swaggercat thanks!
It’s the beautiful drawings for me 🥺✨
Wow super cool. I thought about doing painting my ukulele and this video is so new, haha weiiird!!!!
if you dont mind me asking... what are the materials used for this? like.. spray paint n stuff?
I used Rustoleum brand spray paint and sealant, as well as Poscas pens.
Loved the tutorial! Thankyou for sharing your amazing creativity. I wanted to paint my uke and this tutorial is inspiring. Can you please give some more information on using sand paper or some common mistakes a beginner can avoid while trying to paint one? Thanks and keep up the great work!
Thanks! I’m glad the tutorial is helpful. The sanding part of the process is to help the paint stick. Most ukes have some kind of sealant, stain, or gloss coating when they are new. I wanted my painted ukes to last and be played. Wear and tear is natural if you play a lot. So, I found that sanding before painting really helps. You don’t have to take off the entire finish, it just needs to be lightly sanded with a fine grit. Sand paper that is too rough will leave deep scratch marks. My next best recommendation is to have fun! Experiment! My first uke was very precious (I still have it) but I’ve painted MANY since.
Wow you did a beautiful job! Love them all, especially the sea turtle one 😍😍🥰🥰
Thanks!
This is really interesting! I have made a couple ukuleles so they might be fun to try this with. All the ukuleles you painted are beautiful.
Jean Anderson thank you! How awesome that you’ve made a few ukes!
@@sethcre8s thanks. I have been fixing violins etc for years so not afraid to take anything apart. Those Makalas are decent inexpensive ukuleles. I have several kalas. Great for the price.
Jean Anderson 🤙
Wow u r an amazing artist
Thank you
@@sethcre8s no problem
Billie eilish fann💗
Heya love these ukuleles!
What kind of clear coat did you use? Was it paint varnish or wood varnish? Sorry if my question comes across as dumb lol
I painted my ukulele but the paint chips off if I try peeling it(dumb I know).
Hi! Only dumb questions are the ones that don’t get asked! It is best to lightly prep the surface of the uke with a fine sandpaper. This helps the paint stick. The clear coat then helps protect the paint (I use a spray on clear coat by Rustoleum). Typically, without the light sanding, the varnish and paint can scratch off. Hope this helps! Have fun! ~seth
@@sethcre8s thank you so much!
Those are so beautiful. I wish I had some artistic talent to do this.
Elizabeth Blackey thanks! Give it a try! Ya never know until ya try! Maybe use some stencils for your first project?
Just have fun, that’s what’s important!
~Seth
Hello! I love your video. I just got my ukulele this Christmas and I wanted to make it more my own :) Small question though, do I need to remove my strings or anything if I am only planning on painting the back of my ukulele not the front? Thanks!
- A Simple Ukulele beginner
Jolie Pagan awesome!
If you are painting only the back of the uke then there is no need to take the strings or tuning pegs off. Simply tape off the areas that you do not want to get paint on.
Good luck & have fun!
I’m so glad you made this video. I’ve watched many tutorials and prefer yours over all. I bought the exact same ukelele for my boyfriend and I plan to custom paint it for him for Christmas.
sarah marie I’m so glad you like my video! If come up with any questions, let me know! I’d love to see the uke you paint for your boyfriend when you finish! Happy holidays! ~Seth
Thank you! Do you ever paint the backs and sides of your ukes? I really wanted to paint at least the back too but since it will need to sound nice I don’t want to mess that up. Thanks for your advice!
sarah marie absolutely! Paint the whole thing if you like! The only part I stay away from painting is the fret board, the saddle, and the nut.
It’s a little tricky painting the curved sides but looks really unique when the design wraps all the way around the instrument.
When clear coating the whole uke, I found it easiest to hang the uke from a hook through the tuning peg hole. I made hooks of out wire clothing hangers.
See my “sethcre8s” Facebook page, in my “painted objects” album for some reference pics if you like!
Thanks! I actually really like how it looks with just the front painted. My issue has been finding something to use that will properly write or whatever on the spray paint other than my spray paint since I want to be more detailed than stenciling will allow. I got some nice water based markers and they don’t stay and just bead up on the spray painted surface. I’ll probably have to use acrylic paint and brushes despite not really wanting to. So set backs but otherwise everything has gone smoothly.
You can try lightly sanding the spray paint or using a matte finish spray paint. Basically when painting on any surface, especially with water based materials, that surface needs to be have something for the paint to grab onto. In other words, water based materials have a hard time adhering to glossy surfaces.
You can also try paint pens.
Sethcre8s you´re so talented
These are the most beautiful Ukuleles I have ever seen 😍
Becaye Balde thank you, very kind of you 😊
sethcre8s you’re welcome 😊
Fantastic!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏
Vittoriana Bronzi thank you! 😊
Hi! Very interesting watching your video, but just one thing... I have a very cheap eko soprano ukulele student, painted with a polyurethane painting. Is it necessary to remove it in order to use a spray to just change entirely the color from a light blu to a darker blue tone?
Thank you :)
Aloha Nicolò, you do not need to remove the original finish. I do recommend giving it light sanding though. This helps the fresh paint stick better and will prevent chipping and peeling later.
Hope that helps! Good luck!
-Seth
Beautiful, thanks.
Thank you 🤙
Wooow, this job is wonderfull!
Could you do and send me a list of materials? I'm Brazilian and unfortunaly I can't understand all the steps that you've done.
Thank you! I will try to help...
1. Take apart the uke.
2. Prepare uke for paint by sanding lightly.
3. Mask off areas you don't want to paint.
4. Draw on uke with pencil.
5. Paint with acrylic, markers, pencils, etc... (I prefer water based materials) The pens I am using in this video are made by Posca (I am quite sure they are available in Brazil, I have to order mine on-line). Allow to dry thuroughly!
6. Clear coat - I use a clear spray, however, there are some that you can brush on (just be careful not to smear your painting). Allow to dry thuroughly!
7. Remove masking tape carefully and use light sandpaper to clean up edges.
8. Re-assemble your uke, tune it up, and play!
If you have other questions, let me know!
-Seth
just curious, is it possible to paint a laminate ukulele? if so, do i still need to sand it and stuff or is the process the same as painting a wooden ukulele? i really want to paint one of my ukuleles but i don't really want to paint a wooden one because i don't want to mess up or paint a wooden one in general, considering all of mine are already so pretty.
Hi! First of all, don’t worry, I mess up all the time! Sometimes the mess ups turn into the best new idea!
The purpose for sanding the ukulele is to prep the surface for paint. If your laminate surface is very slick or shiny, I would suggest sanding it lightly so the paint will stick better.
I hope this helps! Have fun!
Does sanding affect the sound quality?
Hi! I’m planning to buy an ukulele as I do want to play and paint one, but is it necessary to sand down the ukulele? I’m only painting a small portion
__uteki hi! So happy to hear from another happy new uker!
I would say that sanding the uke is not necessary. However, it is helpful if you want your artwork to be more permanent. You can certainly paint it without sanding. 😊👍
I hope this helps! Have fun!
~Seth
I love your video,i love to paint and create.and I love my ukulele s.so this is great.i am a bigginer,and learning,my ukuleles and my guitars.having fun,now this video made it much happier for me.!!👍💡😀
Pamela diez I am so happy this brings new ideas for you! I would love to see what you create! Let me know if you have questions, I’d be glad to help.
what about plastic ukulele’s? can we just spray paint those and not have to worry about sanding?
strawberry galaxies the sanding is an extra step that insures the paint will stick as best as possible. You can certainly paint without sanding, however the paint may scratch or peel off with time and use.
These are amazing! 👏🏼🥰🎉
Thank you!
This was so incredibly helpful
I am so glad!
Very cool...did you sell these Uke's?
Thank you! Yes, these all sold long ago 🤙
Hi! I have a question, I want to paint the fretboard of my ukulele, what do you recommend for that? Sharpies or spray paint? Thank you I love you art on ukes 🙌🏻💛
Hi and thanks! Due to wear from playing, that is a difficult part of the instrument to paint. If the uke is just for decoration, you could definitely cover it with whatever you like. If you plan on playing it, then perhaps it would be best to use a permanent ink that may seep into the grain a little. I'd be curious to hear about your results!
@@sethcre8s I play my ukulele every day so I want something that last, what do you think about posca pens? Is a good option? Thanks for Answer btw :)
@@yokoday no problem, though I don't think I'm much help with this question! I have not experimented enough with painting the fretboard to give you a confident answer. I use posca on just about everything else though, so why not!?!
@@sethcre8s ok :) thank you so much, actually you Help me a lot!! With your video and your Answers. As soon i'm done with my ukulele I will let you know If a mess up 😅 Thanks again Have an awesome day! Love from México 🇲🇽💛
I tried painting mine and ruined it. Then I wanted to paint another ukulele and I ruined it again :( R.I.P ukuleles. Time to buy a new one :((
Blossom, I admire your commitment to keep trying!
Can you tell me what happened that “ruined” your ukuleles? Perhaps I can help?
You possibly could sand it and stand fresh.
A decale would be goof proof.
Where can you buy the clear coat and also someone told me you can use hairspray is that true? I just customised one of My ukuleles and I wanna make sure the paint doesn’t chip
Kryptonite hi! You can usually find a clear coat spray at most hardware or paint stores. As for hairspray, that works on drawings done with graphite or charcoal or paper. I wouldn’t recommend that for your custom uke paint job. Good luck 👍
sethcre8s thank you!
Hi. I really want to buy and paint a ukelele, but I don’t know what ukelele to get or what spray paint to buy. I don’t want to get rust oleum spray paint because it says that you need a finish and all of the ukeleles I have found are to expensive or don’t have good reviews. Could you please tell me what spray paint and ukelele type I should get?
Kate Henriksen hi, thanks for the message!
My best recommendation based on years of painting ukes is Kala Brand’s “Makala” series. They can cost around $35-$50 for a soprano, have decent intonation and are very playable.
You can use any spray paint you like, however, I use Rustoleum regularly as it is good quality paint and easy to find. The finish is never “required”, just recommended to further protect your paint job.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have other questions.
Hi I tried looking up the Makala uke you suggested but I can’t find one with the neck like the ones you painted and I really like the look. Do you think you could send a link of where to buy one like yours?
Jake Mendibles good eye! I think you are probably referring to the uke at the beginning of the vid with the wave inlay? If so, that was a special custom made Uke by Ana’ole on Oahu.
sethcre8s okay thank you I see, I assumed they were all the same. But what uke do you recommend getting to paint and possibly learn to play?
Jake Mendibles I recommend the Kala Brand, Makala (soprano or concert size) ukes. Same ones I’ve demonstrated paintIng in this video 😊👍
How long do you let the paint dry before removing the tape...hopefully without gross edges showing?
About an hour, edges are inevitable unless the paint is very light. A light sanding with a fine grit will bring them down.
Thanks a lot!! It was so fun to watch you refinishing the ukes :). Question: would you recommend using a primer before painting, especially on a laminated top?
Re masking tape - I was concerned though whether the resedue might change the sound and paint getting inside when spraying. Although your artsy touch probably added some additional value to the instruments :). *** I've watched today a lot of videos on refinishing furniture (my old dream) and because my apartment is tiny thought maybe I should start from ukuleles :)), then found a video which had a link to these one. Btw I'd recommend you adding some keywords for restringing ukulele with time stamps for that.
You’re so freaking talented. This needs more views
Pearl the rebel thank you. I put this video together because I believe anyone can do it! Including you!
Are you useing the fine point poska markers?
Yeet Boi yes, I use a variety of sized tips.
Hello! I have a few questions. Does painting the ukelele in any way changes the sound? Does this method also apply for a guitar? Can I use just simple acrylics like the ones at my local art store? Do I have to sand the whole uke if I’m only painting a few details? What do I do if I don’t want it to be that “glossy”, but more mate as it was with the wood before painting? I’ve been wanting to paint both my uke and my guitar but I’m kind of afraid I mess the sound up. Thank you!
El Pinguinito Chingon hi! To a highly discerning ear the sound may change, very little. I have painted lots of ukes and quite a few guitars, they all still sound great! In fact the uke and guitar that you hear in this soundtrack are both painted.
If you’re still worried, pick up a $100 guitar and/or a $50 uke and paint them as an experiment before moving on to a nicer instrument.
Acrylics are great!
Hope this helps 👍
~Seth
El Pinguinito Chingon you would need to sand any part that you want to paint and clear coat.
sethcre8s thank you very much for your reply! The video was amazing and I love your art. Have a nice day ahead! ❤️❤️
El Pinguinito Chingon thank you!
Do you have to sand the ukulele? And could you use acrylic paint if you don’t sand it?
SLIME N' GAMES With Jasmine and Kaden hi, thanks for the message! First of all, you don’t HAVE to do anything 😉
You can certainly paint right on your uke and acrylic would be fine for that.
The purpose of sanding is to give the paint a better surface to stick to. Without sanding the paint should go on fine, however it may scratch off easily.
If the uke is going to be a decoration (not to be played) you can basically skip the sanding and clear coating AND you can paint the fretboard.
If the uke is going to be played and you still want to decorate it, without sanding, I recommend using Sharpie markers or something similar. They won’t scratch off easily.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
~Seth
sethcre8s oh, and one more thing. If you’d paint the ukulele, does it affect the sound quality?
SLIME N' GAMES With Jasmine and Kaden you would have to put a whole lot of thick paint on there before there would be a noticeable difference in sound.
sethcre8s thank you for your time to answer my questions!
My goodness I wish I could paint like that!
hi ! i’m wondering if i can paint with an acrylic or watercolor ?
poetry hi! I would recommend acrylic rather than water color. However, it’s possible, if the uke is sanded enough, (pretty much bare wood, with no finish) watercolor paints may act like a stain and could look pretty cool!
I have no experience with this, so it would be a fun experiment! Perhaps find a very cheap uke or even a scrap of wood to test it on.
Good luck! I’d love to know how it works out for you!
~Seth
So, as long as you mask the neck and the fretboard and the saddle, it wont affect the sound?
Looks fantastic by the way, I know I'm a year late :)
Teaspoon The Gremlin that is mostly correct.
I love how your ukuleles turned out their stunning! I do have a question about the painting process though. I plan to paint an older acoustic guitar for my boyfriend's birthday instead of a ukulele, do you think your steps would still apply for an acoustic guitar? I'll be honest i'm not very musical so I wasn't sure if your steps would work for a different string instrument. Love your tutorial either way!
I’m not really an expert, I’ve been playing for 3 years and I recently painted my uke. I’d say, as long as your careful, this would totally work on a guitar! Just my thoughts tho.
The Girl With The Uke I would think the same process would apply for a guitar, but with my luck I’ll ruin the poor guitar. I may try a ukulele first then go to a guitar and see what happens. Thanks for answering me though!💕
Hi! Thank you! Yes, the same steps do apply. I have painted several guitars using the same techniques.
~Seth
I'm doing the same thing for my friends birthday, how did yours turn out?
I feel like I should start with a cheap Amazon ukulele and not destroy my nice one. I wonder if hydro dipping with spray paint would work.
Paul Mendoza I don’t see why not! Could be a very cool technique. However, I would certainly not want to dip a quality uke in water. I’d love to see how it turns out!
Hey man I just want to say great vid I’m wondering can I do this with paint brushes and acrylic paint
Aloha Garrett, thank you for the kind words! Yes, you can apply these same techniques with brush and acrylic paints.
@@sethcre8s thanks man appreciate it
Can I use modge podge to seal in acrylic paint on mine? How many strokes should I sand?
Hi! I have never used modge podge, but another viewer said they had great success with it. 😊👍 For sanding, its best to just lightly sand until you don’t see any more glossy surface where you plan to paint. Good luck, have fun!
Is it possible to use other types of color like oil or acrylic??:D??
khánh ngọc phạm I would recommend acrylic rather than oil.
How do you take the paint off? I painted the back of mine but got it all on the sides
ugh.jxli.aaa._ well that’s a tough one. My first suggestion would be to go with it, rather than fight it. Go ahead and paint the sides! Why not? Just remember to mask off any areas where you don’t want paint. Unless your ukulele sides have a hi-gloss finish, it will be difficult to remove paint. You can try paint removers, or “goo-gone”, or very fine sandpaper... all of these things may damage the finish on the sides of the uke.
Beautiful. I ordered 4 put together uk's for my family, they are bare wood do they need to use a sealer? Thank you
Karen VanDerburgh thank you! The sealer is recommended to help protect any artwork that you put on the uke. It can also give it a nice gloss finish.
However, it is not necessary for the uke to be enjoyable/playable.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions.
~Seth
Do u think we can use the spray gloss sealer from modpodge?
Possibly, though I am not familiar with the product.
sethcre8s I actually tried it and it came out amazingly great
Yay! That’s great to hear! Thanks for letting me know!
Do you paint custom stuff and sell them?
Sure do!
What do you use as clear coat? I wanna paint my uke but I can't find and coating stuff...
In this video, I use spray on clear gloss by Rustoleum. There are many brands that make a clear spray. You can also brush on a clear varnish, but you may get smudging with your painting (depending on the material used).
Hope this helps! Good luck!
-Seth
@@sethcre8s thanks! Absolutely love ur content btw :)
Isabelle Scheiberlich thank you 😊 👍
This dude needs more love!!!
Lexinator 😊👍 thanks!
~Seth
why am i watching this? I don't even have a ukelele yet😂 but I would love to do this as soon as i get one💕
haha! I recommend having an ukulele! Could change your life!
Can I use P80 sandpaper instead of P150 to sand my uke at the begining?
You can, it may leave scratch marks. I would suggest using it lightly.
@@lethiwemwendwa5655 awesome! Great questions... If the entire uke has been painted, I typically clear coat the whole instrument at one time. I mask off the fret board, sound hole, and sometimes the bridge (if I haven't already removed it). I then suspend the ukulele with hooks (made from wire clothing hanger) and lightly clear spay the whole instrument in several layers. I start with the headstock, then the sides, then the back, then front, and finish with the neck.
Perhaps I should do another video?! If you'd like to email me at sethcre8s@me.com, I'd be happy to send you some more info and pics of this process.
@@lethiwemwendwa5655 glad to help 😊👍
Hi! I love this tutorial so much, it’s so helpful and creative. I just wanna day your designs are stunning! One question though, is there an alternative to sanding using sandpaper? I’m planning on painting my uke but cannot get any sandpaper at the moment.
Lorien Alvar thank you!
That’s a good question! The purpose of the sandpaper is to “scuff up” the finished and often slick surface that is on a finished uke.
Without scuffing that surface the paint doesn’t have as likely a chance of sticking.
So, without sandpaper, you may be able to use a scouring pad (pot scrubber) or something like that?
You should visibly be able to see that the surface of the uke has been finely scratched up.
If this doesn’t help or work for you, send me your address and I’ll put some sandpaper in the mail for ya!
sethcre8s Thank you for the suggestion! I’d like to see if it works, crossing my fingers!
Want to try this on my UBass. It is zebrawood though. But I think it would work maybe?
Jean Anderson absolutely! I have painted a ubass. Zebra wood is lovely though, may consider letting some of it show through your design.
@@sethcre8s It's just a thought right now. Don't have a design in mind yet but it would most likely just be on the top.
What type of sandpaper do you use?? I want to do this so bad!
Hi! I used a light 150 grit sandpaper in this video. Hope that helps, have fun!
~Seth
@@sethcre8s now I'm super confused! Near the end I saw you using "M3 P320" sandpaper. Do you use a different type nowadays? Or do you use different sandpaper for different parts? I know nothing about sandpaper lol. Thank you for replying!
A finer sandpaper is used at the end to basically polish the finish. The first sandpaper is to prep the surface for painting. 🤙
If I paint my wood one, will it ruin the sound even if I put thin layers? Cause I'm gonna paint the whole thing.
th-cam.com/video/UZjoJmp-9xQ/w-d-xo.html
This link to another one of my videos may help with your question.
@@sethcre8s Ok thanks!
Do you think 100 grit sandpaper would be fine for sanding?
Sanding when first painting that is, my uke is one of the cheap ones with a gloss finish (mahalo 12 fret).. if that has anything to do with it. Also, would it be okay to paint the fret board if you’d like? Thank you!
@@ohmbhatt257 aloha, I think 100 grit might be a little course and could leave scratch marks. If that doesn’t bother you then go for it, the paint will definitely stick.
I don’t recommend painting the fretboard of you plan on playing the uke, as it will wear off. If it’s for decoration, then by all means paint away!
Hope this helps, good luck and have fun!
🤙~Seth
@@sethcre8s thank you so much!!!
I have a question,can i use a normal paint and not the spray one?is it still good?
KC Batin yes, you sure can!
@@sethcre8s Thank you very much!❤
@@kristinabatin8729 I recommend acrylic or water based paints as they are less toxic and easier to clean up. Try to keep your paint layers thin so it doesn't build up and dampen the sound.
Ok,i will!thank you so much!❤
I just now found this video since I’ve been considering painting my uke, but I am absolutely terrified of taking it part and putting it back together. It makes me anxious to think about not being able to put the strings on correctly and completely ruining the sound of my uke. I honestly don’t know what to do 😓
Hi Cam, thanks for the message!
I originally made this video because I believe anyone can make a beautiful custom painted uke... including YOU!
I have had several people comment similarly with anxiety over this kind of project. This tells me that your uke is special to you and that’s a good thing!
I was nervous with my first custom uke too. Now that I’ve painted nearly 200, I hardly think about those days anymore.
I may first suggest trying to experiment with a cheaper uke if you’re not comfortable working on your special one. A decent sounding uke can be purchased between $30-$50. (And would make a nice gift for someone!)
While taking it apart and putting it back together may seem tricky, it is easier than you think... but you’ll never know unless you try!
I did include all of these steps in this video, however if you find yourself stuck and don’t feel you are able to re-string the uke, just take it into any stringed instrument shop and they should be happy to help! Be sure to have them help you do it. If they do it for you, you won’t learn how to do it yourself!
Re-stringing an uke is important to learn if you play your instrument often, as the strings will get old and dull and won’t sound as nice as new ones. I replace the strings on my main uke about every three months (I play it a lot!).
Last thing I can say is, DO IT!!! Don’t worry! We do the most growing when we try something that makes us uncomfortable!
I’d love to hear how it works out for you! Good luck!
~Seth
sethcre8s thank you so much for the advice and the quick reply!! Your words make me want to just give it a go!
I’ll make sure to update you on whatever I end up doing, might try out what you said about buying a uke, customize it and make it a gift! Loved that idea!
You’re right about having to learn about changing the strings, I hadn’t thought about the fact I’d have to learn either way to keep my uke sounding good at all times, thank you for that!
This comment and video helped a lot, its is very much appreciated, and you seem like a nice guy! Thank you, again 🖤🖤
Glad I could help!
You are amazing 💯💯💯 I want to buy one but I'm not getting the colour I want 🥺
Thank you! I hope you find what you are looking for, but if you can’t, then maybe you can make one the way you want.
~Seth
What is the ukulele you are using?
Francesca Zampirolo Makala soprano ukuleles, first thing I mention in the video 😊👍
@@sethcre8s sorry, i didn't hear it. Thank you!
Francesca Zampirolo no worries! Good luck! 🤗
I have a aklot ukulele and it has a bird sadle but I don't have any good ideas for it
Try thinking of colors that you like, instead of images.
what kind of paint did u used?
I used Rusteum brand spray paint and Posca paint pens.
Amazing job
sandim koushik thank you.
I attempted this and my paint cracked as soon as I started putting on clear coat. Any tips on what I did wrong and how I can fix it?
Rebecca Rogers hi, I run into this problem from time to time.
It can mean a few things...
1. It’s possible the surface wasn’t sanded enough for the paint to stick thoroughly. When the clear coat goes on and dries it pulls at the surface of the paint, making it crack.
2. It’s possible the clear coat went on too thick and wasn’t able to cure evenly. If the clear-coat is thick, the surface can dry faster than what’s underneath.
My best suggestion is a very light sanding with 220 grit paper. Paint over any cracked areas that are real bad. When clear-coating, make sure temperature and humidity are within labeled guidelines. Also, try to apply thinly in multiple layers.
Hope this helps!
~Seth
dammmn this is therapeutic man
I love how he says ookalaylay
Ash Bowser thank you, that is the proper Hawaiian annunciation.
@@sethcre8s oh really? I'm sorry I didn't know that 😂 I wasn't trying to be mean tho I just liked the way it's pronounced
Ash Bowser no problem, there is a different way to pronounce many things!
This is amazing. Could I also add some gold-leaf?
Thank you! Gold leaf would look amazing! I don’t see why not!
@@sethcre8s Thank you. I got a hold of a few batches 24 carat gold leaf many years ago and after watching your video I thought that adding some of that would look great. I just feel the world could do with a ukulele adorned with gold leaf. I know that I can't use any varnish on gold leaf, but I get special advise on that.
@@libelle8124 awesome! I’d love to see how it comes out!
When you play the ukulele, is there a risk of taking the paint out?
MatCanal, not unless you are extremely harsh with your strumming. I have ukes that I painted nearly ten years ago, that get played pretty regularly, as well as go on camping, beach, airplane trips... all still have the paint on them! 👍
What spray?
vanne 25 I used Rustoleum brand paint in this video.
Thank you
How much the rustoleum paint?
vanne 25 about $4 in Hawaii.
What colors have you painted in galaxy ukulele???
Jm Tagalag purple, dark blue, & teal.
What if I want to paint the fret board? what should I do?
If you want to paint the fret board, I would still suggest giving it a light sanding before painting, and then seal it after.
If the instrument is to be played, then it’s likely you can expect some wear on the painted fret board over time.
Good luck!
@@sethcre8s ah tysm for responding. Im trying to paint my ukulele to be similar to Steven's ukulele in Steven Universe, and the fret board is a peach-ish colour. I dont think Ill paint it now though, Id rather not have the wear on the paint on the fret board. Ty so much for the response, I bet I would have ended up doing some crazy thing to it, lol.
I have two ukes, one from wish.com and one from guitar center. I’m planning on painting the cheaper one but I’m terrified to take it apart. I’m probably just gonna paint the corner or something lol
the final song?
I made it up, freestyle! 😊👍
Would you happen to be somewhere in California and if so. What is your estaminet how painting a Ukulele?
Basically Skeptical I am not in California and I’m not sure I understand your question. Am happy to help if you can clarify what you want to know.
@@sethcre8s Like. Around how much would you want to be paid to paint a ukulele for someone?
Basically Skeptical my custom painted ukuleles start at $300 for a soprano with a simple design. Prices go up from there depending on complexity of the paint job, and size and style of uke. There are many other examples on my Instagram page @sethcre8s.
@@sethcre8s OK cool. Thank you.
It works with acrilex paint?
MatCanal yes that should be fine, perhaps thin the paint just a little so it doesn’t go on too thick.