ColorTone Aerosol Finishing Set for Candy Apple Red
Fender's legendary custom color, recreated for your next build or vintage refinish!
In 1963, Fender took inspiration from the custom car scene and introduced Candy Apple Red to their custom color lineup—replacing the less-popular Shell Pink.
This striking finish—a vibrant translucent red layered over a metallic base—brought depth, shimmer, and a hot-rod flair to guitars that had never been seen before. It quickly became one of Fender's most iconic looks.
Choose your perfect shade
Originally, Candy Apple Red was sprayed over a silver metallic base, but Fender later transitioned to a gold base by the late '60s—a tradition that continues today.
- Silver base: delivers a brighter, more vivid red.
- Gold base: adds warmth and a slightly deeper, richer tone.
Both versions are stunning, and we offer complete aerosol sets of both so you can achieve professional results with ease. Plus detailed instructions to guide you every step of the way and pro techs standing by to answer your questions and ensure your success!
Professional-grade lacquer—right from the can!
ColorTone Nitrocellulose Aerosols are formulated specifically for instrument finishing. They spray evenly, dry beautifully, and are ideal for both new builds and vintage refins.
Each can features a precision nozzle designed for smooth, controlled application. Nitro lacquer has been the standard for fine instruments since the Golden Era of the 1950s, giving your project that authentic vintage feel and tone.
"Fender has many great options for red on vintage Strats and Teles, but Candy Apple is my favorite! I’m partial to the brighter silver base, but the gold gives a subtle orange warmth I love too. The Tele and Strat I finished with these sets rival any finish I've done using a pro spray set-up; the pics here speak for themselves...these cans deliver seriously impressive results! I've detailed my process along with my tips and tricks in the included instructions so you can get the same results as me!"
— Gene Imbody, luthier and StewMac tech advisor
This set includes:
- ColorTone White Vinyl Sealer (1 can)
- ColorTone Candy Apple Red (1 can)
- ColorTone Metallic Lacquer: Silver Sparkle or Firemist Gold (1 can)
- ColorTone Clear Gloss Aerosol Guitar Lacquer (3 cans)
Pro tips
For best results, we recommend SilverTip Epoxy Pore Filler, as used on the guitars in the example photos above.
Want a perfect clear gloss that rivals a factory finish? Eagle Abrasives Assilex and Bufflex and Colortone Polishing Compounds will get you there by hand without an expensive elaborate buffing system!
Tip: Use warm lacquer for better results
| Pro shops spray heated lacquer because cold lacquer spatters, requiring extra sanding. You should warm up your aerosol lacquer too, simply soak the cans in a sink of warm tap water. See our video with even more tips on how to spray a professional finish at home. |
