Getting a specific painting style for my enclosure

[glassjarstudio]

Hey guys, I'm building a feedback looper soon and I'm wanting get the enclosure a certain color style. It will be a light gold yellow base, but look very faded all over(dark and light spots). Similar to how an old map or piece of paper would look.

What I'm thinking is, I'll do a first layer of self etching primer, then white, golden yellow, and finally a darker brown on that. Then sand to taste. My question is, will this work to get the desired effect I'm wanting? Anyone do something similar?

[Jaicen_solo]

I'd think you might be better laying an old gold colour over your primer, then spraying a tobacco coloured transparent coat.

[John Lyons]

Sanding through won't give you that effect.
Like Jacien says, you would be better putting youe main gold color
first and then adding transparent over that.
You can use wood stain and even try too etch weather and grime
since the gold has metal in it. The wood stain will take a while to dry so heat it
with a heat gun or over (not a food oven!)
Whatever you go with, do several tests on non critical scraps.

[Jaicen_solo]

Not sure i'd be using woodstain, you can get plenty of stuff for refinishing guitars. Any lacquer for spraying a a sunburst effect should be fine.

[glassjarstudio]

Do they make transparent in spray cans? I currently don't have a gun of any sort and got the rest of my paints at lowes..

[John Lyons]

I used wood stain for this.

[glassjarstudio]

Wow, John that pedal looks sweet! That's pretty much the exact thing I'm going for, just an extremely lighter tone, more goldenrod

[glassjarstudio]

Here's what I'm going for

[John Lyons]

The thinner the coats the lighter it is.
I used 3+ coats on that one.
You can use any art paint to make those
darker areas. Mix the pain with thinners
to get lighter shades and build it up to the color
you want. An almost dry brush works best.

[davent]

Artist acrylics work well, don't have to spend much money, thin with water and no noxious fumes. Like John says, dry brush and many thin coats. Don't just use your regular paint brushes you can use almost anything to apply the paint, sponges, toothbrushes, scrunched up plastic wrap, crumpled paper...

This is old and posted before but you get the idea.

[John Lyons]

and no noxious fumes
Yeah, hmmm I got those for sure. 
Forgot about that box Dave, nice one.
Looks like old pottery, cool stuff.

[Gordo]

John, are you kidding me!  That's spectacular!!!  Now I feel guilty about just using lasered decals over sanded box.  I'm not worthy....

[davent]

Have to work in the house most of the year and the noxious fumes are not appreciated. Beautiful piece there John, looks like a nice chunk of walnut with rare old bakelite knobs.

Take care!
dave