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 Post subject: Refinishing Question
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 2:30 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Wed May 04, 2016 4:17 am
Posts: 150
First name: Gary
Last Name: Leddington
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
H Folks

I'm thinking of sacrificing one of my early builds, a mahogany dread, to practice some repair work etc. I am not that happy with it anyway.

I'm planning to take the neck and top off. Make and fit a new top/bindings. re-set the neck (if needed, probably not). Inlay my logo in the headstock (which i didnt have at the time) and refinish the hole thing.

My question is what is the best way to strip back the old nitro? Chemicals or just good fashioned sanding?

Thanks for any tips.

G.

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 Post subject: Re: Refinishing Question
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:16 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2005 5:17 am
Posts: 995
Location: United States
City: Tyler
State: Texas
I have used the gel type strippers and prefer them. Brush them on heavy, let it dry,
scrape off. I have also used lacquer thinner but that gets messy.


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 Post subject: Re: Refinishing Question
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 10:13 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo
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Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:25 pm
Posts: 337
Location: Bozeman, MT
First name: Tony
Last Name: Thatcher
City: Bozeman
State: MT
I just finished doing this myself, and have another one to do! I used lacquer thinner and a roll of paper towels. Took a couple of hours to strip the entire guitar. Any way you go about it, it's messy!

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Image
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Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana


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 Post subject: Re: Refinishing Question
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 11:42 am 
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Contributing Member
Contributing Member
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Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:20 am
Posts: 2593
Location: Powell River BC Canada
First name: Danny
Last Name: Vincent
I've done a few with chemical stripper. It's very effective on nitro. It came off almost in sheets and required very little clean up.


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 Post subject: Re: Refinishing Question
PostPosted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 11:49 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 am
Posts: 5920
For stripping nitro I use lacquer thinner (the cheap big box stuff). You can soak a paper towel and lay it on the finish and let it rest and soften the lacquer, then scrape the lacquer off using a plastic or dull (with edges blunted) metal scraper. Then use a scotchbrite dipped in thinner and finally more paper towels wetted with thinner. For some finishes I use the gel stripper, but for lacquer I use thinner.


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 Post subject: Re: Refinishing Question
PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:48 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Wed May 04, 2016 4:17 am
Posts: 150
First name: Gary
Last Name: Leddington
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Cool thanks for the tips guys...

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 Post subject: Re: Refinishing Question
PostPosted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:03 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 am
Posts: 5920
Don't forget the nitrile gloves and change them when they start breaking down.


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