Enamel designs on old Nationals - how was it done?

[Pickers Ditch]

Those exquisite coloured enamel designs on those old National tricones have got me to thinking -

copyright Mark Makin

I've only seen one at a distance being used on stage.

How were they done?

Was the enamelling/painting done straight onto the nickel plated surface?
If so, how was the surface prepared?
Was the plating first sanblasted?

Were standard automobile type enamel paints used or if not what type of paint was used?

How thick is/was the paint layer?

Were heat fusing techniques used?
Were the guitars then overlaquered to protect the 'paint' and colours?

I know, it was all a long time ago...

Any info gratefully received - I'll admit I'm eyeing up my Fiddle Edge.

[snakehips]

Hi there !

I've no idea about the paint/enamel but after a while National (and the same with National Resophonic) stopped doing the coloured enamels and just did etching of the Style 97. It is my understanding that all the Model 97's were etched first, then painted/enameled. I presume this would give a better surface for the paint/enamel to adhere to.

[Michael Messer]

Hi PD,

The bodies were sandblasted and then enamel painted. I have seen a few original instruments and even after 70 or 80 years it does look beautiful. The person to ask about how and what materials were used, is Mike Lewis.

Shine On
Michael

[snakehips]

Hi again !

Not that I ever saw this guitar in person (I was offered it for sale though), is this vintage National Style 97, by a retired Dentist friend in England, a lovely chap (used to see him at the Colne R&B Festival, every August Bank Holiday).
His one was the one that had a replacement neck made & fitted by Mike Lewis, of Fine Resophonics.

Here is a picture of the back of the guitar. As far as I can tell, there is a thin etched (but not coloured) border, just in from the edge, and some parts of the Hawaiian scene are etched but not coloured - the outer edges of each coloured areas, the top two thirds of the volcanos, etc.

So, I think that implies the whole guitar was etched with the Style 97 etching pattern, then large portions (but not all) of the etched areas were painted over :

Attachments:

[hawgwash]

I have to say that is really beautiful - wow .. nice guitar !