Rookie Diy - Help!

[AlWill]

My middle age crisis was learning to play guitar. The logical evolution a few years on having spent countless hours perusing various guitar and related forums forums like this is to try to renovate/re-build one. Hopefully I will work up to a Tele but for now I am starting off on a cheap vintage 60's Japanese model (no problems - this one was purchased in dilapitated condition so I wont be ruining anything).

I need help since I know absolutely nothing other than what I read. My primary objective is to learn how to strip, sand and paint. There seems to be various schools of thought i.e. some suggest sanding method as the preference on anything that hasn't previously been refinished, others prefer stripping for the eveness of the finish etc etc. What I have is a lightweight mahogany body (and neck) with a sunburst finish. I thought I would strip it down to the wood, put a primer on it, and then finish in a funky solid colour (sonic blue or something of that nature - surf style).

Any advice guidance on the following would be greatly appreciated.

1. Sand or strip?

2. Type of sandpaper?

3. What strippers?...where to buy (are there viable options other than Reranch)

4. What types of paint are workable, recommended? (Re-ranch, and also auto paints seem to be mentioned quite a bit)

I live near Toronto, Canada. Are there any stores that carry products...I am trying to stay as budget as possible with this one in keeping with the original value of the guitar...but still looking to learn and do a good job.

Cheers

I will also need hardware recommendations eventually but that's for another post.

[sb guitars]

My middle age crisis was learning to play guitar. The logical evolution a few years on having spent countless hours perusing various guitar and related forums forums like this is to try to renovate/re-build one. Hopefully I will work up to a Tele but for now I am starting off on a cheap vintage 60's Japanese model (no problems - this one was purchased in dilapitated condition so I wont be ruining anything).

I need help since I know absolutely nothing other than what I read. My primary objective is to learn how to strip, sand and paint. There seems to be various schools of thought i.e. some suggest sanding method as the preference on anything that hasn't previously been refinished, others prefer stripping for the eveness of the finish etc etc. What I have is a lightweight mahogany body (and neck) with a sunburst finish. I thought I would strip it down to the wood, put a primer on it, and then finish in a funky solid colour (sonic blue or something of that nature - surf style).

Any advice guidance on the following would be greatly appreciated.

1. Sand or strip?

2. Type of sandpaper?

3. What strippers?...where to buy (are there viable options other than Reranch)

4. What types of paint are workable, recommended? (Re-ranch, and also auto paints seem to be mentioned quite a bit)

I live near Toronto, Canada. Are there any stores that carry products...I am trying to stay as budget as possible with this one in keeping with the original value of the guitar...but still looking to learn and do a good job.

Cheers

I will also need hardware recommendations eventually but that's for another post.

hey, when building my first guitar-I was very displeased about my paint jobs- every time i used 80 grit sandpaper till i saw a bit of grain then continued with 220. This worked perfectly for me.

BTW I live in toronto-by don mills and finch

[syxxstring]

My first choice is Citristrip, Its pretty easy and clean.

Im hardly ever lucky enough to have it work. I then get out the heat gun.

I dont think I'd ever want to sand off the finish, but others do.

Now unless its a rare or unique body shape I just buy them unfinished, way quicker and easier. With some of the companies on ebay now paint quality bodies are stupid cheap.