It's Only Rock And Roll, But Sherwin-Williams Likes It

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Guitarmania is a public arts project tradition in Cleveland, Ohio, having raised more than $2 million for the United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Every few years, close to 100 10-ft-tall Fender Stratocaster® guitars are transformed into works of art, then clearcoated by Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes so they can be displayed – and withstand the elements – throughout Northeast Ohio.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120529/CL14247)

These unique pieces are sponsored by area organizations, then designed, painted, sculpted and decorated by local artists and national celebrities. They are then auctioned off to raise much needed monies supporting the region's charities and the Rock Hall.

According to Adam Chafe, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Vice President of Marketing, "We are proud to support what has become synonymous as a source of community pride and fundraising in Northeast Ohio."   Sherwin-Williams is one of the event's lead sponsors, along with Key Bank, United Airlines and The Plain Dealer.

"As we have in the past, we help house, transport, and provide clear coating products designed to protect these dozens and dozens of unique Fender Stratocaster-inspired works of art," says Chafe. "This year we used our CC931 Ultra® 7000 Extreme Speed Clearcoat. Each oversized guitar will be carefully sprayed with several coats to assure their long-term durability."

This year the clearing process was applied at Mayfield Collision in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Owner Tom Griffin and his professional staff have volunteered to assist in this process.

"Applying the clearcoat is the final step in completing each of these works of art, but it's a bit of a complicated procedure," reports Griffin. "We need to review and analyze each artist's notes and details before spraying. We then make sure the clear coat's chemicals don't have any adverse affect on the paint, materials or substrates utilized in the artist's creation."

Griffin continues, "That said, once completed, the clearcoat will then protect these works of art from the Northeast Ohio elements for years – just like it would on the family sedan or SUV."

Sherwin-Williams again also sponsored a guitar, this time designed and fabricated by local artist and vocational teacher Pat Downey. Downey is an instructor at nearby Ohio Technical College and had his vocational students work with him on the design, which was inspired by a muscle car/cruising theme.

"Our 'guitar' has this aura of popping the hood and looking down at a classic automobile engine, all surrounded by gleaming purple fenders with some 'old school' flames painted along the sides," adds Chafe. "It really makes an artistic statement while coming off as a tribute to our brand and our customers' marketplace."

For more information about Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, visit www.sherwin-automotive.com or call 1-800-SWULTRA (1-800-798-5872).

Editor's Note:

The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866, is one of the world's leading companies in the manufacture, distribution and sale of coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers.  Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes a division of The Sherwin-Williams Company, manufactures and distributes a complete line of advanced technology paint and coating systems for automotive and fleet refinishing industries.   

SOURCE Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes