P Bass Clone Refinish Paint Removal

[Robert Spencer]

I think this may be related to hardware & repair issues. I looked at all the forums available & this seemed to be nearest to dealing with rebuilding restoring refinishing & refurbishing etc.
My P Bass clone needs to lose its red paint. I am not sure of the best approach as far as using chemical paint stripper or abrasives like sandpaper. So I am asking for opinions in regard to the compared efficiency of the two methods mentioned. Thanks & take care. Bob

[bassman1983]

I've heard a heat gun and a scraper work well. I'm in the same boat tho. Don't know what approach is best.

[waynobass]

It's more trouble than it's worth. I'd say: Sell your bass here in the Classifieds and buy one whose color you like.

P.S. What's the music scene like on an island in Alaska?

[TJBass]

I say wear it off over time!

[Robert Spencer]

waynobass this is actually something i want to do & would not be free to sell this bass. I think it will be good experience to tear into the thing to improve the sound and personalize it at the same time.

The music scene here on this island is mostly get togethers and personal entertainment. The big cities here all have active night life and opportunity. Thanks for your reply. Take care. Bob

[Robert Spencer]

TJBass I like the idea of wearing it off after I change it to anything but RED. A little of that goes a long way with me. Brings out my freckles. Take care. Bob

[TJBass]

well, honestly I took an old guitar down to wood once with sandpaper and steel wool, came out real nice, put clear on it and flooded it so it would be durable and worked out great, just have to sand in steps so you dont cut into the wood grain, also get finer as you go.

I also refinished a dresser once with chemicals, what a mess and what a pain that was, still had to sand it tho.

[Robert Spencer]

It looks like i will likely go with sandpaper. I have done a lot of gunstocks and found it to be enjoyable and all have turned out better than expected. In fact I have been thinking about finishing it in Tru Oil for a natural oil finish as opposed to the hard shiny surface given by most clear sealers.Wouldn`t have that on a rifle so why do it to a bass? Take care. Bob

[K-Frog]

Heat gun

[Steveaux]

Heat gun.

[Pilgrim]

It depends on what the finish is. If polyurethane, you'll probably need to use a heat gun and plastic scraper, taking care not to burn the wood or gouge it. Poly isn't very susceptible to paint stripper, so that's not a good option. Most modern finishes are some variation of poly.

If it's a lacquer finish, paint stripper will work very well. I have a plastic tub that I lay the body in, paint it with a thick coat of stripper, snap the lid on and walk away overnight. Then use a plastic tool to scrape off the finish.

In either case, light sanding will probably be required, but I don't recommend sanding to remove finish, as you're very likely to change the contours of the body or damage it by excessive wood removal. Sanding is also very labor intensive.

Whatever you do, take your time, be patient and careful. You can screw up a body pretty easily.

And the most critical step is doing meticulous sealing and sanding before you paint! Any imperfections in the body or the sealing process will show up in the finished paint job.

Also - read this thread: Threads describing How To Refinish a Bass

[Robert Spencer]

Thanks Pilgrim for the good information. I like your suggestions.
I`m an old timer living on an island in SE Alaska & really not up to date on much in the way of current events. I had to google Jack Burton thinking it might be someone like Jack Bruce, Joe Osborne or Duck Dunn. Guess not though.
I have a lot of questions coming up in regard to this project when I get beyond cosmetic refinishing (then will come component updates & improvements). Thanks again & take care. Bob

[Robert Spencer]

I bought a heat gun. Looks liek thats the way to go. Thanks & take care. Bob