Removing Spray Paint? Restoring a 80s MIJ Medium Scale P

[thoponbass]

Just started restoring a mid 1980s medium scale Squire Japan Precision. Bought it on eBay for a summer project. I'm leaning towards having it refinished, but first I'd like to bring the original finish back to life as much as possible.

The previous owner spray painted the bass black and red. I'm making very slow progress removing it with 0000 steel wool, hoping to preserve the aged olympic white. Any other methods to remove the spray paint without harsh chemicals? Is acetone or isopropyl alcohol safe to use? Also any recommendations for buffing/polishing after the spraypaint is all removed?

The pickguard also has red spray paint on the front and sides. I've read nail polish remover will help dissolve the paint, any better recommendations out there? Unfortunately replacing with a new pickguard isn't an option unless I get it custom made, medium scale precisions have a slightly smaller body and guard.

I'm pretty new to doing anything beyond a basic setup so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm envisioning a sea foam green refinish once the body is good to go. Might install an Olinto pickup and have a gold anodized pickguard custom made if I get carried away. Thanks TB!

 

[Murivan]

If you are already adamant on a refin I wouldn't waste any time and just lightly sand everything, as you will need to do it anyway if you want the new paint to mate with the existing surface.
If on the contrary if you hope to find a nice finish underneath you can start with lighter fluid, then acetone (you can find it in some nail polish removers). Acetone will dissolve pretty much everything, including (some) plastic, like the entire pickguard, so don't go crazy with it.

 

[walterw]

it could be too late now because of the steel wool, but you might be able to use paint stripper!

many years ago i acquired a MIJ fender 62 tele from that same era that somebody had spray-painted the body white; i used some sort of paint stripper from the hardware store and discovered to my delight that the white paint softened enough to scrape away with a credit card to reveal the original poly candy apple red finish underneath, which the stripper didn't touch

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Paint thinner, will work. Buff with a foam pad on a drill, and car polish.
Acetone "may" eat the pickguard.