Advice on refinishing a "road worn" model

[micguy]

I'm someone who has done a fair amount of finishes, but by no means am I an expert - I know a few things that apply here, though. I'll focus one one:

You want to refnish your main bass, and don't want it to be out of service for very long.

In that statement lone, there's a huge snag. If there is one thing that contributes to the quality of a finish, it's time - you need a lot of patience and curing time to do a good job - when a can says "dries in ah hour, cures in 24", you likely need to wait at least 3 days before the next step. Manufacturers have UV curing finishes nowadays that cure almost instantly, but those of us doing this at home, simply don't have anything like that.

Every time you try to shortcut a finish, you will end up ADDING time to the project, as you will have to redo that part (and maybe a few prior steps). So, my main suggestion is to get comfortable with the idea of using one of your other basses as your main bass for a while, and be very patient with every step.

 

[Wilmingtonian]

Outlandish works a little differently in Luthier's Corner. There was a thread last year from a guy who replaced the neck on his Carvin neck-through bass.

People here are a little more eager to take extreme measures for dubious ends than they are in other parts of talkbass, and are happy to advise each other from their own experiences on how to go about it, all while remarking on how wild it is to want to do it at all.

Yeah, this side thread re: Luthier's corner 'being different' has been hashed over here - but I'll say again that in general population, where posters like me see the OP, there will be a different and not invalid reaction.

 

[Slidlow]

Outlandish works a little differently in Luthier's Corner. There was a thread last year from a guy who replaced the neck on his Carvin neck-through bass.

Guilty as charged but in all fairness the neck had been ruined by previous owner and something had to be done.
Carvin LB75 ressurection

 

[ElCrowg]

I'm someone who has done a fair amount of finishes, but by no means am I an expert - I know a few things that apply here, though. I'll focus one one:

You want to refnish your main bass, and don't want it to be out of service for very long.

In that statement lone, there's a huge snag. If there is one thing that contributes to the quality of a finish, it's time - you need a lot of patience and curing time to do a good job - when a can says "dries in ah hour, cures in 24", you likely need to wait at least 3 days before the next step. Manufacturers have UV curing finishes nowadays that cure almost instantly, but those of us doing this at home, simply don't have anything like that.

Every time you try to shortcut a finish, you will end up ADDING time to the project, as you will have to redo that part (and maybe a few prior steps). So, my main suggestion is to get comfortable with the idea of using one of your other basses as your main bass for a while, and be very patient with every step.

Totally good points, and fair! I should say, that when it comes to gigs/recording, my mustang isn't my main bass, it's just my everyday player around the house and for writing sessions. I can 100% get by on my other basses, but you're right- I need to approach this project with patience: that's not my strong suit, so I should prepare to practice not rushing things! Appreciate it!

I think, realistically, this project probably won't get started until the spring at this point since I live in the Pacific NW and it's about to get really wet, chilly, and not very good conditions for spraying anything.

 

[Bikeguy57]

If you are going to relic the pink finish, I'd sand it to bare wood, not a big deal. The Daphine showing thru the pink might not work. I use Zinzer white shellac primer over the bare wood, then a can of color, and a can of clear. I use Gracey's Nitro. Reranch is a hobby business, and usually closed. It's cured when there is NO smell, and it passes the "fingernail" test. I've painted numerous bodys, including a Road Worn P bass, and have had pretty good results. Feel free to PM me if you want.