Stripping a Stratocaster

[fdesalvo]

Do not apply heat to the stripper!

Brush it on and let the chemial do its thing - rough up the finish as suggested first.  You can remove the finish with a scraper and then steel wool or an abrasive pad after it has bubbled up.  You may need to repeat and rinse a few times depending on the finish. 

You will have to sand down the instrument to get stubborn paint off the remainder of the body.  Once the wood is wet, it will be easy to gouge, so be careful with any scraping.  Keep the blade almost perp and scrape slowly towards yourself to avoid gouging.  Wipe down with Naptha/Acetone/Paint thinner to remove any stripper residue.

Scrape the chemical/paint sludge directly into a bucket and seal it up. 

 

[nexrex]

I didnt know you could buy strippers for home use! They come in a can? I agree that  they are usually quite strong smelling, but I dont find it too bad. Use strippers in well-ventilated and dark areas. I could go on.....

I smell what you're cookin'...

and very expensive... from what I have heard 

 

[ezas]

I painted a body with 'urethane' paint from an autobody supply house. At the time I painted I thought it was POLYurethane but was later told it was not POLYurethane, so all I know is it was urethane based paint and I had no problem stripping mine, other than the huge mess it makes, with stripper from home depot. The first was a super strong crinkle the paint up type, and the 2nd was a leave on as long as you want citrus stripper. I use that to really let it work into the corner and control cavities, etc. Then I used plenty of neutralizing wash. Then I let the body dry out for about a day while I contemplated how to avoid ever needing to do that again.

Warning your guitar will be seriously slippery while the stripper works. Ask me how I know. Hint it involves wood filler.