/ Register

stripping using heat gun

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by brab900, Jan 5, 2009.

  1. Jan 5, 2009 #1
    brab900

    brab900 Guest

    Aug 20, 2008
    first off i wasnt sure whether this should go here or luthiers corner so sorry if its in the wrong place but here goes

    so i have an old jim deacon jazz laying around and i was gonna have a go at refinishing it but getting the existing finish off is gonna be a pain

    so i was thinking id have a go with a heat gun as im guessing its gonna be the easiest to get all the paint and stuff off in one go using a putty knife or something along those lines

    my question is how powerful does the heat gun need to be, i saw these on ebay
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOT-AIR-HEAT-...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1600w-hot-air...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

    and was wondering if it would do the job, i really dont wanna spend too much on a heat gun as im only gonna be using it to strip this bass

    i'd love to hear any alternative ideas/inputs aswell
    thanks


    **EDIT** Also dont get me wrong this isnt going to be anything like a pro refinish, its just gonna be an old banger and just a way for me to learn more about bass set up/modding/swapping parts etc..
     
  2. Jan 5, 2009 #2
    tc99

    tc99

    Mar 25, 2005
    Long Island
    You can use acetone to remove the finish from a bass. Acetone is found in nail polish remover.
     
  3. Jan 5, 2009 #3
    theshadow2001

    theshadow2001 Guest

    Jun 17, 2004
    Ireland
    there's a few threads on this in the luthiers corner. Apparently it's a pretty laborious job. Get some scrap wood and practice your finishing on that first. No point having to remove a finish more than once.
     
  4. Jan 5, 2009 #4
    EddieG

    EddieG

    Jan 19, 2005
    Scotland
    Hah! Don't do it. I tried it on an old beater bass I used to have. Jim Deacon and basses of that price range use very scrappy wood for their bodies, and the one I tried it on quickly cracked (not along the glue joint), and then began to delaminate. It was only fit for the bin after that.
     
  5. Jan 5, 2009 #5
    stflbn

    stflbn

    May 10, 2007
    Nashville
    Just get a sanding block out and have at it... time and elbow grease ends up being the most controllable avenue.
     
  6. Jan 6, 2009 #6
    Instagator

    Instagator

    Oct 21, 2007
    Northern Virginia