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Music Man bass paint flaking off

Al Bass

Al Bass

Jan 11, 2004
107
11
Lake Worth, Fl
#1
I've got two Music Man Stringray basses, a 4 and a 5 string, and the paint is flaking off on the backs of both basses and exposing the wood beneath. The exposed wood is perfectly clean and smooth and appears to treated as the paint flakes off easily and is not in the wood grain itself. I've easily peeled off flakes of paint in dime sized chips.

Obviously, the backs of the basses has been subjected to the heat, sweat, and movement as it rested on my gut for past 10 years of playing these bad boys, is probably to blame for the flaking of the paint. The front of the basses are perfectly ok, considering their age.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do? A Pro paint job? A DIY paint job? Thanks again!
 
#2
That's strange? Have a sparkle blue Sterling in use for about a decade and no signs of flaking.

Given that it is happening to two basses, it might be your chemistry interacting with the finish?

Hey, it's the back of the bass. I wouldn't sweat it.
 
#3
Al Bass said:
I've got two Music Man Stringray basses, a 4 and a 5 string, and the paint is flaking off on the backs of both basses and exposing the wood beneath. The exposed wood is perfectly clean and smooth and appears to treated as the paint flakes off easily and is not in the wood grain itself. I've easily peeled off flakes of paint in dime sized chips.

Obviously, the backs of the basses has been subjected to the heat, sweat, and movement as it rested on my gut for past 10 years of playing these bad boys, is probably to blame for the flaking of the paint. The front of the basses are perfectly ok, considering their age.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do? A Pro paint job? A DIY paint job? Thanks again!
Click to expand...

No.

My 2000 stingray is just fine.

IMG_20160228_135048.jpg


IMG_20160228_134514.jpg
 
#6
Here's a picture of both basses with the paint flaking off. The black bass is the 5 string, the red bass is the 4. I had to put gaffer tape on the black bass as the paint chips would be all over my shirt and the rough spots would catch on my shirt as well. As you guys have suggested, I believe my chemistry or my cologne may have something to do with it. Would love to have the basses repainted but I've seen cost amounts as much $300 - $500. Maybe a DIY. Thanks for all the helps my friends. Peace.
IMG_2836.JPG
 
#9
I can't wait until paint starts coming off of my Fender honestly: "it shows character"

Really though, I was not expecting to see the paint coming off like that on the black one. That's wild, and I kind of like it; it has a pattern almost like that of oil being dispersed in water. I'd just leave it alone and let the paint job deteriorate "naturally", if no intent of reselling or something drool
 
#10
Al Bass said:
I've got two Music Man Stringray basses, a 4 and a 5 string, and the paint is flaking off on the backs of both basses and exposing the wood beneath. The exposed wood is perfectly clean and smooth and appears to treated as the paint flakes off easily and is not in the wood grain itself. I've easily peeled off flakes of paint in dime sized chips.

Obviously, the backs of the basses has been subjected to the heat, sweat, and movement as it rested on my gut for past 10 years of playing these bad boys, is probably to blame for the flaking of the paint. The front of the basses are perfectly ok, considering their age.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do? A Pro paint job? A DIY paint job? Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Yeah, quite normal.

Resonance of those babies is quintessential also because paint, which looks brilliant and shiny, ain't that thick
I initially thought to figure a kinda peelin' off and securin' process (by a pro art studio) to give'em an appealin' agein' look, but then I opted to repaint'em all (again, professionally) for need been and I had to rapidly let'em go (they were a Stingray 5 and a Bongo 6)

Cheers,
Wallace

I somehow still own Stingray's case tho'
 
#12
We play a lot of "corporate-type" gigs and we usually dress up and wear cologne, especially when we're around clients on our breaks, not to mention, the "ladies".
Probably a combination of sweat and smell good.

The back of the basses where the paint is missing, kind of catches on my shirt and hangs up in the most weird positions, is the primary reason why I'm considering getting them painted.

I've always wanted to paint the red bass black, and I see underneath the red paint that the wood appears to be "treated" or has some sort of finish. I don't know exactly what it is, lacquer or whatever, but perhaps a project in the future.

Thanks again! Peace.
 
#14
Hi there.. I have an exact same colour RED Stingray that has the same flaking issue.... In the exact same spot on the back of the bass... I am alos wanting to strip it and re-paint it. It looks to me as though there are some imperfections in the original paint work which didnt adhere to the wood
 
#17
The clear coating is a wash-coat/seal-coat sprayed 1st over the raw wood/under the finish - part of the process. The black one is wild looking - never seen a finish reaction like it. Just curious - if you pulled the tape you put on it, would cleanly remove the remaining black? If so, you could remove the black from the back (only) and either leave it natural of repaint it black.You'd have to remove the black there anyway to refinish it by sanding or heat-gun.
 

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