Fender removing lacquer need help

[mkibanez]

I have a Fender Strat Blacktop MIM, I tried to remove the lacquer and the paint to put it on the wood but here is my problem. I tried with a super stripper like I use on desk stripping but it doesn't work very much. And the lacquer on the Strat is so thick!  There is the lacquer on the top, under there is the paint and under the paint another thick lacquer!!! What do you guys use to Strippe a guitar? Help me please it is going to take me a year lolll

 

[DarkPenguin]

It is polyurethane and not lacquer, right?  Might need different chemicals for that.

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

You might need a heat gun to get the poly off.

 

[bagman67]

Yep, it's gonna be polyurethane, and thus not susceptible to lower-strength products.  I think Klean-Strip's Aircraft Remover (available at your big box home improvement/hardware store) might be the tool for the job.  The "safer" strippers are not well suited to busting through catalyzed urethanes such as the major commercial builders use.

 

[Cagey]

Check the ingredients label on any paint stripper that you find. If it doesn't include "Methylene Chloride", it's unlikely to bother polyurethane very much.

Note that if it does, be very careful with it. Wear gloves, eye protection, a respirator, etc. That's not just a paranoia-based suggestion; you really need those things. Get the stuff on/in you, and you'll be sorry.

 

[Tonar8352]

The only way I have found to remove that stuff is with a DA Sander and some very heavy sand paper like 80 Grit.
The first one I ever did we actually used a belt sander but the day is better because the chance of changing the profile is less.