Quick Refinishing Question

[5string5fingers]

I've got a project I'm going to be working on over the next several months,just getting parts as I get the money. I'm refinishing a body I already have, and I was wondering if I have to completely sand the entire body clean down to the bare wood to refinish? Or can I sand most of the original pant down until the majority of the paint is to the clear poly base coat,and most of the top clear coat is off,then prime and refinish? In other words. Can I prime and paint as long as the original clear coat is off?

[mikeyswood]

You do not even need to take the top off. Just scuff so that any treatment will stick and go from there.

Of course a quality job would require a lot more...

[5string5fingers]

Well I've got about 90% of the bass down to the clear poly undercoat. All I have left is a little area under where the pick guard will be,and the insides of the horns,which are going to be a major pain to sand completely.

[Rocky McD]

Maintain the original factory undercoat if possible. Are you planning on refinishing in lacquer or Poly? I would suggest acryllic lacquer available a auto supply stores. It's easy to use and easy to correct any mistakes. There are many online sites that explain the refinish process. Read all you can.

[5string5fingers]

What ever is best and easiest to use. I know alot of refinishing in the automotive buisness. I figured its essentially the same?

[Slax]

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

What ever is best and easiest to use. I know alot of refinishing in the automotive buisness. I figured its essentially the same?

I sanded my bass basically down to the wood and made it silky smooth all around. Then I had a classic car painting shop do the paint work. In my case it's nice car paint finish. lol

The place I went to did an excellent job and was pretty cheap too.

[5string5fingers]

Ok so that tells me it is the same. Cool.