Refinishing

[Nick Dingle]

Been searching for a thread about this topic, but haven't turned up anything that helps me so far.

A mate brought his LP copy by in a burst, which he hates, and wants me to refinish it in black. No worries. I'll try to talk him out of it, as it's an Orville and a good guitar, but I suspect he'll want to go ahead.

Here's the question. I have on hand some black lacquer. As well as clear, and have no issues with the finishing process. But, as to preparation, do I need to strip the poly completely off? mostly off? scuff it for adhesion only?

Open to any suggestions. Thanks

[Art Davila]

I have tried re painting cheap bodies just for practice as I am not good enough yet to charge any body for it, but when painting over poly, my first attempts did not proper adhesion to hold well at all.

I tried scuffing the paint but still did not get great results. I tried 180 grit and 120 grit as neither gave great adhesion and I was not inclined to use anything to do anything to aggressive Because I wanted practice painting not sanding.

My best results came from heating the finish and scraping the chemically stripping, but a more experienced refinisher might have a better technique, that does not involve completely striping it.

[Art Davila]

Sorry accidental double post

[Rodger Knox]

I believe you will need to get all the poly off, which will not be an easy task.
It might be easier to build another guitar than to get the poly off!

[Nick Dingle]

Talked him out of it. Set up and a new set of strings......