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Deglossing a bass body

fuzzy beard

fuzzy beard

Mar 8, 2011
2,747
31
Aurora, Indiana
#1
Ok before the flames start flying i am not looking to relic my bass. I simple prefer satin finshes.

Ok i love my Mustang bass but the high gloss 3 tone sunburst body and the satin almost white maple neck have never been a perfict look to me. I would like to sand the finsh down to a nice satin finsh. But i have a few questions!

Is this polyurathan?

Is the clear very thick?

Has any of you done this?

Comments, questions, and concerns?
 
#7
Yes I have a air compressor.

And that link on th LP's is just what I am after!

But now I have a new dilemma! Started tearing down the mustang and found it to have a great neck pocket and no bath tub routeing. Wires tunnel from control plate to pickups. Why is this a problem? Now I don't want to put the pic guard back on!LOL

Think I will satin the body and put it back together and see how it looks with out the pic guard. See how bad the screw holes look. I can always put it back on later.
 
#8
fuzzy beard said:
Yes I have a air compressor.

And that link on th LP's is just what I am after!

But now I have a new dilemma! Started tearing down the mustang and found it to have a great neck pocket and no bath tub routeing. Wires tunnel from control plate to pickups. Why is this a problem? Now I don't want to put the pic guard back on!LOL

Think I will satin the body and put it back together and see how it looks with out the pic guard. See how bad the screw holes look. I can always put it back on later.
Click to expand...

Do you know anyone at a car body shop? You could have it media blasted. It's like sandblasting but with crushed nut shells or some kind of plastic. It's abrasive, but not as much as sand. They use glass beads, too.
 
#9
Cosmeticplagues said:
If it's poly, it's probably really thick.This method seems like it would work well for achieving that satin finish: Invalid Link Removed I'd really like to try it on one of my guitars when I find the time.
Click to expand...

That finish is gorgeous! I have bookmarked that page and I am now scouting for a burst P bass so I can give that a try. Thanks for sharing!
 
#14
AdamR said:
That would be too aggressive.
Click to expand...

Depends on the finish. Glass bead may be, but the pressure and a steady hand is needed, anyway.

For anyone who wants to do this, woodworking and body shop suppliers have sandpaper and abrasive pads in many grits. Sandpaper goes to about 15000 grit, so a heavy finish like poly isn't a total loss if sanding marks show up. One important thing to remember is that going too fine, too early clogs the paper and when clumps of finish accumulate on the paper or pad, it leave evidence in the remaining surface. That doesn't mean it's a total loss, though. It's usually a matter of using a new pad or paper, being patient and reducing pressure.
 
#17
Take my word for it. It's nasty job. And where are you going to dispose of the waste????
 

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