Body refinishing

[DocNrock]

I have a question regarding the refinishing of a body.  The body was previously a Screamin' Deals Strat.  It has a flame maple top and is finished with a dark blue dye to black burst.  The sides and back are black.  I want to refinish it to a solid color. 

My question is, how much of the old finish do I need to remove?  Can I get by with just sanding the surface with 220 and painting over that, or do I need to remove at least the clear coat before painting?

 

[Perry Combover]

Can we get some pics of the flame maple that you are going to paint over?  You know, so we can judge you.  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[DocNrock]

Can we get some pics of the flame maple that you are going to paint over?  You know, so we can judge you.  :icon_jokercolor:

Hahaha!  Sure, the pic is below.  Actually, I think it is quilt rather than flame.  I wasn't looking at the body when I typed in the initial post of this thread. 

Before harsh judgement is cast over me ( :laughing7: ), perhaps I should clarify my plans.  For a while now, I have been thinking of building a Strat with features of the Jackson Adrian Smith model, which is quite similar to the San Dimas Charvels of the 80s.  These features include a non-recessed Floyd and the output jack coming out of the side of the guitar, not the top.  I was going to sell this body, then build the Smith-inspired Strat.  Then it dawned on me that I could simply build up the Floyd route to make it flush with the top of the body, drill a jack hole on the side of the guitar, and fill in the current jack route.  The body is alder, but I have enough mahogany in my "wood pile" to accomplish the planned fills.  Then I could refinish it.  I will need to shim the neck pocket to accommodate the non-recessed Floyd, but that's not a problem, either.   

Normally, I like figured maple that is dyed.  But ever since I bought this body, there was something about it that did not appeal to me.  I'm not sure how the photo will come across, but in person the contrast of the dyed maple figuring does not have enough contrast to make it "pop."  I think that is why I never really loved it. 

So, flame suit engaged.  Judge away!  :laughing7:

 

 

[DocNrock]

I also have an Iceman that I might refinish with a solid color, and maybe try my hand at some graphics.  It is mahogany with just a clear coat.  Again, for that one, can you just rough up the surface with 220 so that the paint will adhere, or would it be best to strip the clear coat completely or nearly completely? 

 

[pabloman]

If the clear is completely intact you can just scuff and shoot.

 

[DocNrock]

If the clear is completely intact you can just scuff and shoot.

Thanks Pabloman, I appreciate the input.  :icon_thumright:

 

[Cagey]

If you don't want to take the poly off, i'd strongly recommend a coat of shellac between it and anything you want to put on top. Otherwise, you may end up with reactions that force you to strip the whole thing anyway so you can start over.

Incidentally, you're not alone in wanting to cover up less-than-stellar figured wood. I've done it. Sometimes, the stuff just doesn't look as good as it should. No sense exposing it just so you can say you have it.

 

[stratamania]

Or sell the body and get another for the new project. I'm biased I like the look of the blue and the quilt 

 

[DocNrock]

If you don't want to take the poly off, i'd strongly recommend a coat of shellac between it and anything you want to put on top. Otherwise, you may end up with reactions that force you to strip the whole thing anyway so you can start over.

Incidentally, you're not alone in wanting to cover up less-than-stellar figured wood. I've done it. Sometimes, the stuff just doesn't look as good as it should. No sense exposing it just so you can say you have it.

Good to know, Cagey.  Thanks for the info.  Finishing and refinishing are one of those many things that I know little to nothing about.  The different bases of finishes and drying vs. curing, etc., make it very easy to make a mistake. 

About covering up less-than-stellar figured wood, I recently happened across your post about the old-style VIP that you ended up shooting a cream color.  I never did see the finished product.  How did it ultimately turn out?

Or sell the body and get another for the new project. I'm biased I like the look of the blue and the quilt 

I thought about that, John, and I still might do just that.  I agree that it doesn't look bad.  To me, it just doesn't look as good as a couple of other blue quilt guitars that I have.  ccasion14:

 

[Cagey]

About covering up less-than-stellar figured wood, I recently happened across your post about the old-style VIP that you ended up shooting a cream color.  I never did see the finished product.  How did it ultimately turn out?

It's sitting in its case just rotting. I've been waiting to get a proper floor-standing buffer to finish off the finish, but every time I get close to buying one, something else comes up to eat what's been set aside for it. Since I'm not short of guitars around here, the drive to finish one isn't as strong as it would be otherwise. Besides, I always look forward to the final finish sand and buff out about as much as one might anticipate anesthesia-free dental work. To say I procrastinate when it comes to such things would be the understatement of the century. Fear of failure runs deep.

 

[stratamania]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you want to give it a go then why not.