77 Stingray

[Scotti4]

Hi Guys

I recently bought an old early 77 stingray that has been abused with all sorts of varnish and stains. I know by restoring her I'll need to strip this off and start again. I've had heaps of experience in building and finishing instruments but not so much in stripping a bass right back. I'm not that worried about the value aspect as much as just restoring the bass to look authentic again. I have a 76 and I'm very familiar with Stingrays in general etc. but could so with some extra advise on how others have gone about a 'make over restore'

Thanks

[Musiclogic]

use a good stripping compound and a scraper to remove most of the finish, wipe clean with a damp rag, or an "afterwash" to clean the surface, begin block sanding to remove any stubborn spots, and sand back to natural, then complete sanding regimine to 220 grit and prepare for finish as usual. Good luck with it.

btw...pay no attention to people saying anything about strippers and finish lifting later on. This is a falasy started by someone who did not do the proper sanding after stripping, and tried to shoot finish over stripper. If you follow the above, you will have no problems, and create a proper surface for finishing.

[Scotti4]

Thanks very much and sounds like great advice. One question I do have involved the waterside decal on the headstock this appears to be covered with stain and varnish. Any ideas on how to keep this intact or should I just make a new one. I have the artwork.