I picked up this 80’s MIK Ibanez EX Series 5 string the other day. It was relatively inexpensive (100$) but the paint was pretty rough. However it plays well, and the neck is in good shape so it seemed like a fun refinish project. WRONG!
I totally underestimated how difficult it would be to strip the paint. I tried a heat gun but the enamel just laughed at me. So I tried paint stripper with methylene chloride, which I hate using because it’s so toxic. It usually works well but even that barely loosened it up!!! So, I had to scrape away at it like I was chiseling stone.
Once the paint was off I sanded it forever until it was smooth as glass. This was the part I was looking forward to as basswood doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being good looking, so I was really curious what I would be looking at. Turns out it’s not that bad at all, I mean it’s not a beautiful flamed maple or anything but it’s also not heinous looking.
I finished it with tung oil, which is curing while I wait for the replacement matching knob I ordered. Once I get it all back together I’ll post some follow up photos.
I totally underestimated how difficult it would be to strip the paint. I tried a heat gun but the enamel just laughed at me. So I tried paint stripper with methylene chloride, which I hate using because it’s so toxic. It usually works well but even that barely loosened it up!!! So, I had to scrape away at it like I was chiseling stone.
Once the paint was off I sanded it forever until it was smooth as glass. This was the part I was looking forward to as basswood doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being good looking, so I was really curious what I would be looking at. Turns out it’s not that bad at all, I mean it’s not a beautiful flamed maple or anything but it’s also not heinous looking.
I finished it with tung oil, which is curing while I wait for the replacement matching knob I ordered. Once I get it all back together I’ll post some follow up photos.
