Check this site out. http://home.flash.net/~guitars/basics.html You need to lacquer the guitar. I just finished building a strat style guitar and did it in wood grain. I used min-wax brush on lacquer. Not as good as spray lacquer but it worked. This is a long and tedious process, so take your time. I listed some other sites that may help as well. Good Luck and be patient.

http://home.san.rr.com/mab/sagakit/sagakit.htm
http://www.guitarfrenzy.netfirms.com/Strat01.htm
http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/tutorial5.htm
http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/bridge_body/electric/tsblueguitar/blue_guitar01.html
http://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/kitbuild.html