LPS GOTM refinish

[dmraco]

OK.  I have grown tired of the LPS carved top I have.  So I decided to refinish it.  This also sooths my craving to finish another guitar and it is a lot cheaper.

I have a few problems to start.
1.  the poly finish is hard a nails  Really going to suck taking this off.
2.  The original finish was a dye-sandback-dye process so the dye is REALLY in the maple cap.
3.  I hate to sand....so

I decided to utilize the amber top.  The back is untouched Black Korina.  I have decided to sand the entire guitar smooth.  I will not go down to the color as if I would ever get there. :doh:

I am not looking for much.  Just come more contrast...plus I am bored.  I will keep the natural binding.  I am thinking of adding some green tones but very subtle on the top with almost an olive drab on the back.

Aside from lazy I am also cheap so I will have to mix up some green with what I have.  Here is what it looks like now after some sanding.

 

[Cagey]

Polyurethane can be removed effectively, but you need a real formulation for it to work, which can be a little harder to come by. Klean-Strip Premium KS-3 works, but the crucial ingredient to look for in any stripper that you expect to actually strip paint is methylene chloride. If it doesn't contain that, it's the useless "environmentally friendly" crap that you may as well just pour down the drain. Cost you less than $10 for a quart, and beats the snot out of trying to sand off poly. Also, you have to be careful about sanding laminated tops because some of them are thin enough to sand right through to the base wood, which will wreck your day.

Just be sure to pay attention to the warnings about gloves, glasses, etc. and putting something down to keep drips/splashes from contacting other things.

 

[dmraco]

Thanks Cagey.  Great info.  Still too lazy and cheap.... :toothy10:

I sprayed a bit today.  I achieved the color I was after.  It has a green hue.  The photos in direct sunlight just look brown.  Take it inside and it is more green.

Lighting and angle really impact the color.  I am going to let this sit a day and shoot some clear tomorrow.

Back



top outside



top inside

 

[Timmsie95]

When I first read that you were refinishing this beautiful creation, I nearly choked on my coffee  :sad:...
But damn, that is looking really really nice! great job!  :headbang:

 

[Fat Pete]

Where's the flake?  :icon_scratch:

Seriously though, nice job! Looking good already.

 

[BigSteve22]

Definitely a big PLUS on that already beautiful top! Nice.........

 

[dmraco]

Where's the flake?  :icon_scratch:

That phase has passed....but I still have plenty of stock left so who knows....maybe a green flake binding!!!!! :laughing8:

 

[Axkoa]

That greenish looking burst definitely brings out the amber in the middle.

 

[rgand]

This is looking good. Looking forward to the pics with it all assembled again.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Is that a Harbor Freight Workbench?

 

[dmraco]

Is that a Harbor Freight Workbench?

yes.  works great. 

 

[rapfohl09]

I can just barely see a green tinge, and I love it. So good-looking.

 

[dmraco]

Thanks for all the kind words.  It really is a great piece of flame maple.  Hard to believe it was not unique choice.

 

[dmraco]

1st shot of clear.  I will let this dry and knock it down with some 800.  I find that is necessary to get a smooth transition on the masked binding. 

Finish looking more brown than green in this light.  I also have a bit to scrape on the binding but wanted to post some progress pics.

 

[bagman67]

Dang, that's sexy.  Nice work.

 

[Glimmer]

Delicious!

 

[rgand]

That's beautiful. Looks great.

 

[DangerousR6]

Awesome job.... :headbang:

 

[dmraco]

Some updates.  Still hard to photograph the olive green tint.  I will have to shoot some video.

I am going to rewire it with the same DiMarzio pickups.  Breed in the bridge and Evolution in the neck.  It will have wraparound GOTOH bridge.

I am shopping for a gibson scale conversion neck.

 

[bagman67]

She shore is purty.