How to remove spray paint from a Fender hard case?

[bassista6]

I just got a Fender MIM Precision bass off ebay in September. I've currently been storing it in my Road Runner gig bag that I had for my old Stagg bass. I was just given a Fender hard case with some issues. It has two chunks missing from it that my dad is going to fix, but what I need to figure out is what to do about the words spray painted on it. Should I buy a product and try to remove the spray paint or should I just buy some black spray paint and paint over the entire case? If I buy something to remove the paint do you have any suggestions? I'm not sure what material the case is made out of, so I don't know what kind of paint remover to buy. If I decide to re-paint the case what type of spray paint should I use? I'm kind of leaning towards re-painting the case because I'm already going to have to paint over where the missing chunks are when it's fixed. Plus it will probably look more even. I'm just not sure if the paint will hold up. I'd love to have this project finished by next Sunday and I'd really appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks in advance.

[fdeck]

I had good results with flat black spray paint on black amp tolex. After letting the paint dry, I rubbed it until it got a bit of gloss back.

Of course if it's a tweed case, then you have to get tweed colored paint.

[tplyons]

Flat black paint works wonders... I used to stencil band names on my cases in white/yellow but when the band split up, it got covered in black paint. That case is pretty beat, but it's got stories to tell.

[sonic assassin]

more paint. cases arent made to look pretty. mine certainly arent.

[bassista6]

Okay so I'm going to re-paint it. I've never spray painted anything before. Is there anything I should know? Is there a brand of spray paint that should work the best? I've heard some people say to use plastic spray paint, but I'm not even sure what that is. Do I need something to seal it or will it be fine? Thanks for all the answers.

[bassista6]

Change of plans I just found a container of Goof Off in my basement that the old owners must have left here. I've heard people say they used Goof off to get stains off of cases, so I'm going to try it. If it doesn't work I will spray paint the case, but I might as well give this a try since it's free.

[warnergt]

Before you paint, try this:
Polly S Easy-Lift-Off (ELO)

This stuff is pretty amazing. I collect old slot cars from the 1960's.
Sometimes I find a rare and potentially valuable car that has been
painted by a previous owner. I put this stuff on the undesired paint.
The paint gets soft and loose and can then be worked off. It's not
effortless but it's really not that hard to use. It might be easier for a
guitar case because I'm usually dealing with delicate plastic cars that
I don't want to damage in any way. I've been able to restore some
difficult-to-replace old cars.

[bolophonic]

Cover it with thousands of stickers from all your gigs.

[bassista6]

The Goof Off didn't work, so I'm back to the painting idea. I'll pick some up at Lowes tomorrow. Will one can be enough? Thanks again for all the help everyone.

[baba]

Goo Gone. Lighter fluid (naphtha). The lighter fluid is also good for removing gunk and paint from guitar finishes. Never tried it on nitro finishes though so don't do that until you look into it.

If you go with paint, one can will be plenty.

[Lazylion]

Denatured alcohol? That stuff eats most anything.

(disclaimer: I haven't tried it on a guitar case.)

Alternatively, +1 to bolophonic.

[nsmar4211]

Yep, one can is plenty. Keep in mind those goofoff goo gone things leave an oil residue so your paint may not stick. Paint thinner takes off paint, soak a paper towel in it and leave it on the spot for a few minutes then wipe. However, it may ruin certain plastics and such-try in a small spot first.

Buy a decent paint-the $.99 walmart paint will come off easily. I use $4.00 a can spraypaint (home depot sells it, it's the only brand mine carries....can't remember the name) never had any issues . Spray in a normal temp (not freezing not boiling), wear a mask if inside, watch for flying dust/bugs/pieces of stuff

Good luck!

[diehard70]

If I'm not mistake, Krylon makes a spray paint for plastics. Never tried it, though.

[bassista6]

My dad picked up a can of Krylon paint for plastics on Thursday. We're going to paint it tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice everyone. I hope it turns out well. I know it doesn't need to be beautiful, but right now it's just too ugly for me.

[spaz21387]

sticker it up

[bassplayer8953]

I painted an old Fender case, which had been spray-painted with previous owners id & logo. I used a satin finish (as opposed to flat) black for vinyl. You'd never know it had been painted. Rich black color with oe sheen to it.