Refinishing a few Strat bodies

[AprioriMark]

They already have finishes on them that i don't like.  I'm going to repaint in solid colors... do I need to strip the old finish, or can I sand it down a bit and use it as a primer?

-Mark

 

[Alfang]

I think you can go either way, depends on how involved you wanna get. The easiest is probably a light sand and start shooting new paint, the purists out there would probably say strip it down.

 

[chrisg]

Sand it down till its smooth - 320 grit will be plenty, then use shellac as a base.  Shellac works with anything so it doesn't matter what the current finish is or what you want to cover it with.