guitar refinishing

KyleMayket · Post by **KyleMayket** » Saturday Oct 10, 2009

just wondering what's the best way to take off the original finish. It seems pretty thick and I was assuming to just sand it or scrape it off, but was wondering if there was any easier way to get it off (like a solvent or something). And help would be appreciated, thanks guys.

Kyle

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Sunday Oct 11, 2009

I've found that a chemical remover (or carburetor cleaner!) and a scraper work great. Just wear gloves. I'm sure there are other great ways like heavy grit on a belt sander, but this is the way I like best.

KyleMayket · Post by **KyleMayket** » Sunday Oct 11, 2009

alright, I'll give it a shot, thanks.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Sunday Oct 11, 2009

And I should mention that by 'scraper' I don't mean a typical flimsy scraper w/ a handle on it. I use a heavier gauge piece of steel and quickly run the edge of it along a belt sander while holding it vertically. This puts a burred edge on it and is rigid and fairly sharp. If you do have a hand held belt sander w/ heavy grit, that may work quickest on the surface and edges, but the cutaways would have to be done by hand. You also have to be careful that you don't accidentally 'dig in' w/ the belt sander on the body.

Good luck and keep us posted on progress or if you find any other techniques.

KyleMayket · Post by **KyleMayket** » Monday Oct 12, 2009

i definitely will, just looking for a little project for the winter, and I'm getting myself set up. Thanks guy!

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Oct 12, 2009

Strypeeze works OK and is available cheap at Wal-Mart--it has a safe level of acetone. It won't hurt the wood. I like a hard plastic scraper so it won't tend to gouge the wood. Also, be careful with solvents around glued joints...they can dissolve and you could find yourself with more parts than you started out with.

Once you get most of the original finish off, you can use 150 grit "green paint removal" sandpaper to finish it up. It doesn't get as gummed up with the paint residue. You might want to start with this sandpaper to break thru the hard outer layer of finish before using the solvent.

KyleMayket · Post by **KyleMayket** » Monday Oct 12, 2009

thanks Lonewolf, that's great info (have more parts at the end than you did at the beginning sucks) this is all great info for someone who's never done this before, thanks a bunch guys, hopefully I'll get to work here soon, I'll post pics as I go to keep you guys informed, thanks a bunch!!

Kyle

usmc50bmgsniper92 · Post by **usmc50bmgsniper92** » Monday Dec 21, 2009

duplicolor spray paint like at advanced auto is good to if you don't have access to a air compressor or spray gun..just make sure you spray a good sealer on the wood first also.. i prefer to us automotive base caot/clear coat finishes from a good automotive spray gun... it's all trial and error.. if you never did it before i wouldn't suggest trying to pain a $2000 gibson, start out on some junk bodies.. i bought a bunch of cheap no name bodies on ebay to practice on before moving up to better guitars..