Bass finishing questions

enim · #1 07-14-2007, 02:35 PM

Im currently rebuilding/refurbishing/refinishing a Cort Performer bass. As of right now, im a few days away from striping and finishing the bass, and ive got a few questions.

1) whats a stripper that you guys can reccomend? I'm looking at a 3M product ight now, called Safest Strip (i think), becuase it requires no gloves and isnt super caustic. Also, how should i strip the back of the neck?

2) Whats a recommended way to finish the bass? Let me explain: I'm fairly sure (as long as the wood is still good) that im going to go with a natural-tone finish. If i stain it, should i use Polyurethane or Laquer. And what about tung oil? can it go over stains (and if so, how many coats do i need for a high gloss finish?)

3) If the wood ends up looking like crap, what paints should i use?

Thanks for all your help
~Jon

JimmyM · #2 07-14-2007, 04:10 PM

1. Savogran Kutzit. Takes off even hard poly finishes with ease. Others have reported having succes using a heat gun as well. As always, clean with lacquer thinner and 0000 steel wool when you're done stripping.

2. All of those are in usage in bass finishes. All have their advantages and disadvantages. The amount of coats used, however, varies with each product and your own personal tastes.

3. A solid color poly or lacquer.

62bass · #3 07-15-2007, 08:44 AM

The 3M Safest Strip and similar environmentaly concious and "safe" strippers don't work very well even on home applied finishes surch as varnish or polyurethane varnish. I've tried them. They are nowhere near as effective as the dangerous and harsh chemical strippers. It won't touch the finish on your Cort. Most chemical strippers won't. The product Jimmy M mentions might. I don't know-I haven't used it. The factory finish on your Cort is pretty tough. A heat gun is probably the fastest way to remove it. That's what I've found most successful on basses I've refinished. There'll still be a lot of sanding to do afterwords.

Check the recent threads in the Luthier's forum for a similar question. Can't remember the title but I last posted on it yesterday. It'll give you more tips and warn you of some potential pitfalls.

JimmyM · #4 07-15-2007, 02:06 PM

hat reminds me...if you use Kutzit, make sure to wear rubber gloves because it WILL burn you. And keep a bowl of lacquer thinner nearby in case it gets on your skin. Kutzit will strip just about anything, but it's definitely not environmentally safe.

enim · #5 07-16-2007, 10:02 PM

Yeah, i have relized that strippers arent going to do anything.

40/60 grit sandpaper though? Oh baby, much better.

62bass · #6 07-17-2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enim

Yeah, i have relized that strippers arent going to do anything.

40/60 grit sandpaper though? Oh baby, much better.

Yes, I buy 3"x18", 40 grit ceramic sanding belts and cut them into appropriate sizes and use double sided tape to stick pieces to large dowels and a flat stick for getting into curved spots and doing edges. The ceramic cuts very well and stands up. I also glue a piece to a flat sanding block to keep flat surfaces flat.