Author Topic: Best Way to Strip a Nitro Finish? (Read 2246 times)

indysmith · « **on:** July 31, 2007, 06:15:32 PM »

I'm guessing sandpaper, right?
What grades should you use, and should you use and electric sander or do it all by hand?

WezV · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2007, 06:25:32 PM »

If it is nitro then a stripper like nitromors works well!!!

It will need neutrilising with white spirit when its finished and will need finish sanding ready for whatever else you do

Handsanding with the grain really works better than most electric sanders unless you have a nice expensive sander.

dont skimp on sandpaper though, the good stuff like 3M works a hell of a lot better

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2007, 06:57:00 PM »

Quote from: WezV

If it is nitro then a stripper like nitromors works well!!!

It will need neutrilising with white spirit when its finished and will need finish sanding ready for whatever else you do

Handsanding with the grain really works better than most electric sanders unless you have a nice expensive sander.

dont skimp on sandpaper though, the good stuff like 3M works a hell of a lot better

okay so i should nitromors it (will the paint just come off then?), then white spirit it, and then what grades of sandpaper should i use?

WezV · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2007, 07:10:41 PM »

assuming you dont do too much damage getting the paint off you need to start with about 150grit paper and go up to about 340 if re-spraying. a lot higher if doing an oiled finish

Nadz1lla · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2007, 07:11:43 PM »

Just don't get Nitro on yer finger...ouch...burns.

Chuck a thick coat of it on and go make a cuppa, come back 20 mins later and scr@pe it off. Did that to my Mockingbird and it took me no time at all to get down to a nice surface for sanding the rest off.

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2007, 09:16:49 AM »

Emery cloth is much better than sand paper for getting the finish off. The sand falls off sandpaper and it also gets really clogged up.

I've got a foam finishing sponge that I wrap the emery cloth round and that seems to work really well.

Remember to wear a dust mask, because that stuff's horrible.

I took a cheap SG copy back to wood in about 15 minutes. Although the paint stripper and tea sounds like good way.

Bainzy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:59:14 PM »

Speaking from a fair bit of experience, don't use sandpaper to take the bulk of it off, it'll take ages and cost a lot more - not to mention it's highly likely you'll end up reshaping the guitar to some extent. Use nitromors, then use wire wool to scrub it, then sanding lightly with around 400 grit before refinishing if necessary. Definately get the kettle on while waiting though. 8)

dave_mc · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2007, 11:05:14 PM »

i guess you could buy it a couple of drinks...

sorry.