Paint Removal From Plastic

[dadsoldstore]

Just got a 1965 ebo gibson with the truss cover and backplate and pickguard spray painted an ugly red, looks like acrylic , but not sure. Whats the best way to remove it to get it back to its original black without sanding or melting it. Acetone? Paint thinner? Lacquer thinner?Alcohol? Monkey urine?

Thanks!

[Southpa]

Its tricky but it can be done with acetone. The trick is to only use enough to remove the paint by continuously blotting it on and wiping off with paper towels. Don't let it sit on the plastic for any length of time, you only want to loosen the overlying paint.

[dadsoldstore]

Thanks, I will try a small section first on the backplate and if it works well I will keeo on trucking!

[coolio49085]

Thanks, I will try a small section first on the backplate and if it works well I will keeo on trucking!

I removed a lot of neon paint from a strat pickguard once and used paint thinner. I took a lot of elbow grease but I did the job and didn't damage the plastic.

[dadsoldstore]

I tried nail polish remover(acetone) paint thinner/mineral spirits, and lacquer thinner. Lacquer thinner seemed to do the best job , evaporated quickly enough not to soften the plastic but left the plastic dull. I used some rubbing compound to bring it back and it turned out not to bad, some more buffing with finer grade compound and I think it will be almost as good as new ,maybe 75 to 80% shine