Paint Removal--(63 Strat)

[Deleted]

Hi Charlie and Co.

I have a '63 Strat that was originally 3 tone Sunburst--But over painted by me (Stupid Boy) with Red Enamel Paint--(Well I was only 17 at the Time.)

Do you know of a luthier or Paint removal expert who could possibly remove the Red top coat only and get down to the original Nitro Sunburst Finish.


Thanks Ian (Tommo)

[john]

Hi Ian.
Mate I hate to tell you this, but I think you will have to go back to square one, a complete repaint. Also it's depending what you painted it with enamel or lacquer, either way whatever you use is going to eat into the layers of paint. Take it to a luthier that does paint work and have a chat to him.

Don't worry about being 17 as I have sold a couple of guitars back in those days that would be worth a small fortune today

Regards
John

[graeme]

I agree - this is back to basics job. If you don't feel up to it yourself, then take it to someone who knows how to do it.

Feb 26, 2010 21:45:16 GMT john said:

Don't worry about being 17 as I have sold a couple of guitars back in those days that would be worth a small fortune today

I said (in another thread) that my guitars are not precious to me, they are 'tools of the trade'. However, I do now regret with parting with a Gretch Anniversary and Gibson RD Custom. Had I kept them, they would now be both collectable and valuable - and undoubtedly precious .

[joeboy]

Hi Ian

A lot depends on how the body was prepared before slapping on the enamel coat? if you were only 17, chances are you may have painted over the original finish without preparation. If so there is a remote chance that you may be able to remove the enamel.

Try wafting a heat gun over the painted surface until the enamel coat starts to bubble, not too much heat!

Most enamels from that era will readily bubble with heat, wheareas the cellulose coat underneath will need a higher temperature before that is affected, you may find the enamel will bubble enough to rub off unaffecting the finish below?

(Only waft the heat gun, don't hold in one spot & burn the paint)

OR

You could try rubbing lightly over the enamel with sand paper so as to rough up the surface then use a strong solvent on a cloth which will eat into the enamel & cause it to crinkle up so that you can rub it off (find a solvent that does not melt cellulose)

It's a long shot which may or may not work?

A lot will depend on the enamel used & if the original finish was prepared first before painting. If you remember rubbing down the cellulose with wet & dry paper & painting with primer etc, then the chances of success are remote. But if you were a typical 17 year old & just slapped on a coat of paint without preparation then there is a chance

Good luck

[Deleted]

Thanks Robert,

That is very pleasing to hear. My Paint job consisted of making a few score marks ,with a Stanley knife , on the original finish--No Sanding or anything. Then Hand painting with Black Diamond Enamel paint.

My effort was evidently so poor that within daye my belt buckle had rubbed off a two inch diameter circle of red paint at the back of the guitar. The edge of the red paint surrounding the "bare patch" seems pretty "Flaky " to me--looks like a bit of chipping away with a Small penknife woud bring more "Overcoat " away.

Many Thanks

Ian

[joeboy]

Hi Ian

If the edge is peeling as you say you may be able to blow off most of the enamel coating with a high pressure air line as used in a paint shop, it sounds like the enamel coat hasn't keyed to the cellulose