Author Topic: refinishing the back of my strat copy (Read 7825 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** June 11, 2005, 12:06:52 PM »

Basically, i was originally going to refinish the whole of my old strat copy, just as a little project/experiment thing. However, Ive gotten to the stage where ive got all the finish off the back of the guitar and sides, but i dont think i can really be bothered to take it all off and redo it all. If i were to just refinish the back (properly, prepping the wood and stuff first) would I get a 'step up' in thickness from my finish to the original? I want to get it so it all looks 'as one'. If this isnt possible i will redo the whole guitar, but at the minute i'm a bit skeptical as to how a 'home made' finish will turn out, so at least if i only re did the back it wouldnt be as noticeable..

any opinions, or painting tips etc?

thanks a lot!

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2005, 05:13:12 PM »

You can take the body with you to the shop so you can find a close match. If it doesn't quite match up, try to blend the new color into the old. Getting a professional looking finish meens polishing, polishing and polishing. :lol:

_tom_ · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2005, 05:17:01 PM »

its not so much the colour match im worried about, its the actual thickness of it! i dont want to be able to feel a difference between the two finishes if i run my finger over if you get what i mean?

Ratrod · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2005, 06:26:31 PM »

I think you will have to resort to polishing and buffing untill the thickness matches up. Best is to use a machine and polishing paste. It's boring work but it'll pay off.

_tom_ · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2005, 09:11:10 AM »

ahh right thanks! i wish i never started this mess now :P anyone have any idea where i can get sanding sealer in the uk?

R/2e · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2005, 10:12:04 AM »

www.craft-supplies.co.uk sell sanding sealer, click on 'online shop' and the link to cellulose finishes, or www.axminster.co.uk, search for 'sanding sealer'. There are lots more places as well.

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2005, 11:37:20 AM »

ahh thanks. i was thinkin more along the lines of a DIY shop like Do it all or something. I guess il have a look in do it all though seeing as its right next to the halfords where im getting my paint from...

_tom_ · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2005, 07:05:22 PM »

hmmm my dad thinks it wont blend right and it wont match up to the original finish and bond with it..meaning it will look cr@p. i know what he means. so what color finish should i do :D its a strat copy... with a rosewood (i think) neck

Ratrod · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2005, 07:43:27 PM »

Pink! I don't mean salmon or anything pastel. No. Pink! 8)

_tom_ · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2005, 08:17:07 PM »

:? i dont like pink guitars haha. i like seafoam green..but i duno if halfords will have that paint. basically, i can have anything thats on a popular brand name car ie ford, citroen etc

HJM · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2005, 10:31:26 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

ahh thanks. i was thinkin more along the lines of a DIY shop like Do it all or something. I guess il have a look in do it all though seeing as its right next to the halfords where im getting my paint from...

Back where I come from in Lincoln there's a great motor body shop supplier that can match anything....in fact look in yellow pages, there'll be some trade factors that can get most colours.

You could even try visiting some car body repair shops. Usually you can talk someone into doing little job on the side!

_tom_ · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2005, 10:28:57 AM »

hmm so do you think i should try to just redo the back then or what? im not really bothered about the looks that much seeing as its only the back of the guitar, so long as its not very noticeable.

HJM · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2005, 01:58:40 PM »

I can't see why you couldn't do a rear only finish. Feline or R/2e may or may not confirm this. It may not match. But if you put a clear coat over the top of the guitar it should prevent any peeling. If it peels you didn't prep the surface properly!

_tom_ · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2005, 03:15:04 PM »

surely so long as i get a solid black it will match the black at the sides of the sunburst on the front if you get what i mean. and you think i should do a clear coat over the whole of the body or just over my finish and just over the edges of the old one if you know what i mean? And is the proper prep for painting just sand it with grades high to low, then fill in any dips or holes etc, then apply some sanding sealer?

cheers

Ratrod · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2005, 04:25:20 PM »

That would do the trick.