nanookanono Posted March 12, 2011 Report Share Posted March 12, 2011 Hi all! I've tried to search for this already, but it's kind of difficult to search for something like this. Anyway... I've got a couple of guitars I want to strip back. I've tried regular paint stripper and bought some strong stuff that eats through epoxy, lacquer etc. No matter what I try - how much I put on, how long I leave it - the stuff just doesn't come off. I've also tried a palm sander like in the tutorial section of the website, but even that has been hopeless. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong there, but the only thing that's worked so far has been sandpaper and elbow grease, but that's tedious and takes a long time and a lot of energy. Can anybody recommend specific chemical strippers to use? I'm considering using a heat gun or belt sander, or just taking the guitars to somebody who knows what they're doing, but the main guitar I'm stripping is a cheap, old thing that is really not worth spending any large amount of money on. Plus I could do with the experience of doing it myself for future projects. So - any tips or nudges in the right direction for a complete newbie to refinishing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Our Souls inc. Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 chemical paint stripper sometimes won't touch the diamond-like surfaces of some factory finishes. A belt sander with 80 grit will, though. A drum sander of some type can be employed for the sides and curves. Its never easy. But if you want to re-fin, its one of the necessary evils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 I usually use the heat gun and a scraper to remove finish. As long as you're carefull not to get too much heat in an area and burn the wood I think it's safer and easier to controll than a belt sander. Works pretty fast too. Either way you do it, do it outside in good ventilation and a respirator (not a dust mask) is always a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workingman Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Eye protection too. Do you really want to know why I add that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Good call on the eye protection. I haven't heat stripped in a while and I forgot how the paint likes to literally pop off the body when scraping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanookanono Posted March 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Thanks for the help all! Good to know I'm not just a deadhead I'll keep at it and get it all off soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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