Refinish Gibson DC tribute bass with Gloss

[Old Ozzie Guy]

Hi all, years ago (80s) I had 2 guitars(SG &White Falcon) refinished in Nitrocellulose, even back then it cost heaps!! I was looking at maybe putting a gloss finish on Gibson DC tribute bass (black) and was wondering if polyurethane is much cheaper to be done professionally ,and or , if poly finish do-able at home? I'm thinking to leave neck as is and only gloss the body.
Any tips, thoughts, much appreciated.
PS, IV had years in motor trade, quite proficient spray painter, but never had any experience with wood.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I doubt the cost of a refinish will be significantly less based on nitrocellulose lacquer or polyurethane. The actual material is one of the less expensive parts of the cost. It’s more in the prep and the cutting and buffing.

Come over to the luthiers corner and check out the water based finishes thread. It’s definitely doable at home. I can get good results so it’s certainly possible for others to. Spraying water based finish is a different technique then solvent based finishes but, like anything, it can be learned.

 

[Old Ozzie Guy]

Thanks for replying, I didn't even know that water based existed.
I went over and checked out Luth's crn.Waterbased for refinish.
Wow..
Stunning results on just the test patches I saw . Great set up in single garage.. the spray booth.. brilliant..
I can't see myself setting up anything like that , only to refinish 1 bass..and being as old as I am, not willing to put in the many, many hours it would take me to acquire even a basic skill set. 30 yrs ago might have been different. Anyway, thanks again, your work/results look awesome. Keep it all up ! ( I'm sure U will)

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Thanks for replying, I didn't even know that water based existed.
I went over and checked out Luth's crn.Waterbased for refinish.
Wow..
Stunning results on just the test patches I saw . Great set up in single garage.. the spray booth.. brilliant..
I can't see myself setting up anything like that , only to refinish 1 bass..and being as old as I am, not willing to put in the many, many hours it would take me to acquire even a basic skill set. 30 yrs ago might have been different. Anyway, thanks again, your work/results look awesome. Keep it all up ! ( I'm sure U will)

If you still know someone in the auto body business they could probably handle it for you. Some of the manufacturers and the smaller guys who are set up for it use auto paint. If you’re capable of properly doing the prep that will help mitigate the cost. I don’t remember if those had a finish that left the wood grain showing? If it is a smooth finish and the existing is in good shape it could just be roughed up and used as a base coat.