Stripping an Epi Les Paul

[badgermark]

So I have an Epi Les Paul, love playing it, sounds great unplugged, and I hates the finish. It's a cherry sunburst thing, and I'm wondering what it's like under it's skirt.

Is it worth my while stripping it back to the bare wood and oiling it up? I'm just considering it now, not going to rush out and do anything tomorrow, so testing the waters first.

And I have no idea of what the finish is, tis a 2001 epi though, a good one by the looks of it, tuners are greenish and darn good.

[WezV]

the main issue is the front - most likely to be a veneer and very easy to sand through or lift up.  

Its also hard to get all the lacquer out of the wood enough for oil to take without looking patchy

Lots of hard work if its going to look good.

Personally if you dont like the finish i would consider spraying over what already there - the only prep it needs for that is sanding with fine sandpaper to give a key for the new paint to hold onto

[Dreichlift]

I stripped a 2000 epi and as WezV says the top veneer is incredibly thin and all too easy to sand through. The bigger problem however is what lies beneath on my Les Paul (originally a blue glitter top), under the veneer is what appears to be alder but it's hideous, it appears to have been carved by a blind Gorilla using stone tools. I definatly recommend lightly sanding the surface and respraying as WezV suggested.

[badgermark]

Taking on board both of your suggestions I've decided not to bother. Was pretty much wanting a bare wood effect but it seems the lacquer out would be a bitch. Shame, the grain on the neck and back look pretty good. One  day I might get a pro to give it a go. THEN I can whap some Mules into it  

[Twinfan]

If you hate the sunburst, why not make an Epi "Black Top" - I love this look:

[badgermark]

Damn you. Only problem is the back and sides are red, so might look a bit odd.

[Twinfan]

Gorgeous isn't it?

[badgermark]

Lovely epi indeed. Well this is what I haves,



Not keen on the colours at all, too flashy for me  8)  Nice top though, shame it would get destroyed by my boshing.

[Twinfan]

What about sticking it under a suntan lamp for a bit to fade the finish?  Maybe Wez or Feline can help you out?

[badgermark]

A faded finish would be piiiiiiimp. I'll await further input. I could possibly knock up a UVA-C lamp, would kill every molecule in the room. Score.

[badgermark]

Can Wez or JonFeline pipe in here? What's the best way to age a Epi Les Paul finish? Just want to subtle it up a bit.

[WezV]

depends on the dyes/stains/toners used and the type of finish but there are not many red pigments in the world a bit of UV wont fade eventually!!!

I like twin fans idea - but do it completely black with just the binding showing

[horsehead]

Badger are we talking Mick Ronson alike look here?

[badgermark]

Badger are we talking Mick Ronson alike look here?

I'm tempted by it actually, I like the look of stripped, oiled wood. Seems like it's super time consuming.

And Wez I'd love to do the 'black top' but I really don't think the red would work, could go to town on the whole guitar though... What do I have to do for the binding though? Tape it up?

[Transcend]

Lovely epi indeed. Well this is what I haves,



Not keen on the colours at all, too flashy for me  8)  Nice top though, shame it would get destroyed by my boshing.

good taste in games i see  8)