Removing paint

[Wilson19]

Hey guys,
Just getting into posting on here so I'm not sure if this is in the right place.

Currently in the process of modding my first baby - Squire P Bass.
I've been attempting to remove the paint using an electric sander, but it is proving extremely time consuming.

Has anyone got any suggestions on how the speed up the process?

[Oren Hudson]

Get chemical paint stripper from your local Home Depo, Lowes etc. Much better and wont damage the wood like the sander can. Be sure and read the directions for proper use.

[Wilson19]

Much appreciated.
Had considered this but was concerned that it may cause damage to the wood.

[amphlett7]

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/burn.htm

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/chem.htm

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/sand.htm

i'd probably go with chemical stripping

[Stumbo]

http://www.soyclean.biz/paint_stripper.asp

Non-toxic, water based, paint remover.

[62bass]

Good luck with any of the chemical strippers on a factory finish. They won't work. There is one which I haven't tried that's used by automotive guys and which someone here says does work. I don't know. I do know that I've used all the Home Depot, Lowes, Canadian Tire stuff and they won't work on the type of paints used these days on most basses.

I use a heat gun and scraper. You can get a decent heat gun for less than $30. It'll get it almost all off. There'll still be sanding to do. But it's a lot quicker.

Use good sandpaper, not the cheap garnet stuff. Start with 40 grit for the rough removal, then when everything is off, work up the grits with 80, then 180, then 220 then 320 (if you need it that smooth. Use aluminum oxide paper. It doesn't wear out as fast.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by 62bass

Good luck with any of the chemical strippers on a factory finish. They won't work. There is one which I haven't tried that's used by automotive guys and which someone here says does work. I don't know. I do know that I've used all the Home Depot, Lowes, Canadian Tire stuff and they won't work on the type of paints used these days on most basses.

I use a heat gun and scraper. You can get a decent heat gun for less than $30. It'll get it almost all off. There'll still be sanding to do. But it's a lot quicker.

Use good sandpaper, not the cheap garnet stuff. Start with 40 grit for the rough removal, then when everything is off, work up the grits with 80, then 180, then 220 then 320 (if you need it that smooth. Use aluminum oxide paper. It doesn't wear out as fast.

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What he says. Just finished stripping a MIM fender a couple of moths ago. The only thing that would effectively remove the finish was a heat gun. And it was a LOT faster than sanding or chemical strippers. Cleaner too.

[Chasarms]

IF there is a place in your town that dips furniture, take it there. Strip all of the electronics and remove the neck. Take the body to the dipping place, and they'll give you back a blank body.

They'll charge less than you'll spend on materials.

I hate the idea of sanding it because it is way too easy to sand a low spot in the wood.