removing paint stain

[zook]

I'm refinishing a 1976 Greco Telecaster and I've been unsuccessful in trying to get rid of the paint stains. The former owner decided to repaint the tuners and string retainers with black paint and my guess is that it bled through the wood.

Any ideas? I tried wet sanding with denatured alcohol, lacquer and thinner and it won't go away.

 

[jackthehack]

Don't wet sand. Sand back the discolored wood with a coarser grade of sandpaper like #100/#120 to get rid of the stain, then sand back to at least #220 prior to applying any finish.

 

[zook]

Don't wet sand. Sand back the discolored wood with a coarser grade of sandpaper like #100/#120 to get rid of the stain, then sand back to at least #220 prior to applying any finish.

And I thought I was imagining things when there was a slight bleeding of paint.  :sad: Not good to work at night with dim lights. Good thing I started experimenting with the back side of the head stock. Thanks for saving my head!