Refin a cheap guitar that plays well

[rsm]

I have a cheap guitar that I want to refinish the top; it's got nice binding that I want to keep and protect, and it's a poly clear.

what sandpaper, or other materials would you recommend to prep the top for a new finish?

I don't plan anything fancy, just a spray paint color and poly clear coat.

Thanks!

 

[Dan Gleesak]

I would try a heat gun and scraper first. Save the sandpaper for touch up and wood prep if you can

 

[Ben Waylin]

Get this stuff here..

Don't even think about smoking while using it.

 

[CrazyNutz]

Don't even think about smoking while using it.

 

[Ben Waylin]

Canned Napalm.

 

[japetus]

Get this stuff here..

Don't even think about smoking while using it.

Yeah, last time I accidentally put it in the bong...big mistake.

 

[CrazyNutz]

Yeah, last time I accidentally put it in the bong...big mistake.

Talk about blazing up

 

[japetus]

Talk about blazing up

SHEEESHH

 

[rsm]

I would try a heat gun and scraper first. Save the sandpaper for touch up and wood prep if you can

I want to keep the existing binding, so I only want to "rough-up" the poly clear coat on the top so the new paint will adhere.

I'm concerned chemicals or heat gun could damage the binding?

 

[Deleted member 38657]

I want to keep the existing binding, so I only want to "rough-up" the poly clear coat on the top so the new paint will adhere.

I'm concerned chemicals or heat gun could damage the binding?

If it's poly I would just tape, sand, paint, scrape binding. I wouldn't bother trying to strip it. If you're going to a lighter color, you'll probably need a primer first. I've been using this stuff called hardcore by I think Montana paint or something like that, best spray can stuff I have come across in forever.

 

[rsm]

If it's poly I would just tape, sand, paint, scrape binding. I wouldn't bother trying to strip it. If you're going to a lighter color, you'll probably need a primer first. I've been using this stuff called hardcore by I think Montana paint or something like that, best spray can stuff I have come across in forever.

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 38657]

Thanks!

What guitar/color are you doing?

 

[rsm]

What guitar/color are you doing?

good question, I was thinking white with flake or a black with flake, something like this:

On this body top, that has finish damage under the clear poly, notice the abalone binding:

 

[Deleted member 38657]

good question, I was thinking white with flake or a black with flake, something like this:

View attachment 251279

Shake/warm the can up pretty good with the flake stuff (I keep mine in hot water).
Switch to a new can if/when getting low or it comes out uneven/may ruin.
The silver sparkle (not flake) clear coat stuff will brighten the flakes without interfering with them if you want them to "pop" a bit more, ime.

 

[dcburn]

Is this really a question of what color?
You know you need to cover it in broken mirror!!!