1977 Ibanez Silver Series P-Bass Finish Cracking

[jthurman54]

I own a 1977 Ibanez Silver Series Jazz Bass that is mint, and recently purchased the twin to it, only a 1977 Ibanez Silver Series P-Bass, but as you can see by the photos the clearcoat is cracking and flaking. I would like some input on the best way to fix this, and I'm really trying not to have to strip and refinish the whole body? The rest of the bass is excellent other than this issue.

[Hambone]

Sorry J, this one's going to require refinishing.

The problem is that you would never be able to level out the new finish with the old layers and it likely wouldn't stick well to the old finish anyway. When small chips happen, I stabilize them with a little clear fingernail polish but you've got some major slabs of finish flaking off so it goes way beyond a "quick fix".

Fortunately, a clear coat alone won't cost the same as a complete repaint with a clear coat.