refinish of tele

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werdna
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refinish of tele

Post by werdna »

My tele has a stripey top and dark blue stain. I want to change it to aqua/turquoise. I am going to need some advice, and some help with supplies.

1. what is the easiest way to strip the existing lacquer? There is a plastic binding which I don't want to damage.
2. does anyone have some black dye to do the stripes, please?
3. does anyone have any turquoise/aqua dye, please?
4. what's the best cheap electric spray outfit for this kind of job?

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Re: refinish of tele

Post by NippleWrestler »

What's the existing finish? Poly? Oil? Nitro?

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Re: refinish of tele

Post by werdna »

It's nitro.
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Re: refinish of tele

Post by MakoGat »

At guess id paint strip it (beware that stuff is lethal) sand, clear seal, sand, clear seal, apply stripes, tint topcoat, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, wet and dry, polish. Lots of work.

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Re: refinish of tele

Post by werdna »

MakoGat wrote:At guess id paint strip it (beware that stuff is lethal) sand, clear seal, sand, clear seal, apply stripes, tint topcoat, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, wet and dry, polish. Lots of work.
Will the stripper destroy the plastic binding?
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Re: refinish of tele

Post by Bg »

werdna wrote:
MakoGat wrote:At guess id paint strip it (beware that stuff is lethal) sand, clear seal, sand, clear seal, apply stripes, tint topcoat, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, wet and dry, polish. Lots of work.
Will the stripper destroy the plastic binding?
Yes it probably will....

You need to really take that down to bare wood if its been dyed before, and probably further if its not been sealed properly. I've not done a guitar with binding, grant would be your best bet to comment, I could be wrong but I'd be steering clear of stripper, unless I was planning on rebinding. And obviously avoid heat gun!!!
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: refinish of tele

Post by MakoGat »

Bg wrote:
werdna wrote:
MakoGat wrote:At guess id paint strip it (beware that stuff is lethal) sand, clear seal, sand, clear seal, apply stripes, tint topcoat, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, sand, spray, wet and dry, polish. Lots of work.
Will the stripper destroy the plastic binding?
Yes it probably will....

You need to really take that down to bare wood if its been dyed before, and probably further if its not been sealed properly. I've not done a guitar with binding, grant would be your best bet to comment, I could be wrong but I'd be steering clear of stripper, unless I was planning on rebinding. And obviously avoid heat gun!!!
The other option is just sand back to bare wood.....

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Re: refinish of tele

Post by Conway »

Just put a solid colour over it. Cobra blue is very nice. :wink:
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Re: refinish of tele

Post by jeremyb »

I think you should heat gun it and replace the binding, can't see an easy way to not destroy it!
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Re: refinish of tele

Post by Bg »

Conway wrote:Just put a solid colour over it. Cobra blue is very nice. :wink:
Nah its tacky in a gold toilet sort of way....
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: refinish of tele

Post by werdna »

What's a reasonably priced electrical spray kit please?
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Re: refinish of tele

Post by werdna »

Request: does anyone have any stain in dark blue (not turquoise) please? Only need a few drops and will pay in cash, massage etc.
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Re: refinish of tele

Post by olegmcnoleg »

I've not stripped back a nitro guitar before either. But is a heat gun & nitro really a sensible combination?

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Re: refinish of tele

Post by werdna »

olegmcnoleg wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:49 am I've not stripped back a nitro guitar before either. But is a heat gun & nitro really a sensible combination?
I sanded back. Nitro sands off quickly.
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Re: refinish of tele

Post by olegmcnoleg »

werdna wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:54 am
olegmcnoleg wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 9:49 am I've not stripped back a nitro guitar before either. But is a heat gun & nitro really a sensible combination?
I sanded back. Nitro sands off quickly.
Yes I'm sure it does, and it has a very low flash point too. :sarc: And the vapours are not good for you.

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