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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:36 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Upshot? Stripping is unnecessary if the original finish has no visible damage and the new color is sufficiently opaque to cover it in a single coat.

As long as it's a nitrocellulose finish, the new paint binds with the old paint, so this works well. A light buffing is needed not so much for creating a rough surface for the new paint to bind to like with other paint types, but to remove any wax, fingerprints and airborne particulates.
You don't even need the new color to cover it in a single coat. A light colored guitar, for example, can be transformed into a CAR variety by several coats of transparent red. And CAR pops nicely on stage, which is why it's one of the more popular colors. But for "custom" combinations, test on a piece of scrap wood first.

For poly-(ethylene/urethane) finishes, it's a bit more tricky. Much rougher sanding is needed to get any chance of binding. It's doable then too, but stripping and priming may be the better option, so you don't end up with a panzer guitar that one day will flake.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:17 am
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arth1 wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
Upshot? Stripping is unnecessary if the original finish has no visible damage and the new color is sufficiently opaque to cover it in a single coat.

As long as it's a nitrocellulose finish, the new paint binds with the old paint, so this works well. A light buffing is needed not so much for creating a rough surface for the new paint to bind to like with other paint types, but to remove any wax, fingerprints and airborne particulates.
You don't even need the new color to cover it in a single coat. A light colored guitar, for example, can be transformed into a CAR variety by several coats of transparent red. And CAR pops nicely on stage, which is why it's one of the more popular colors. But for "custom" combinations, test on a piece of scrap wood first.

For poly-(ethylene/urethane) finishes, it's a bit more tricky. Much rougher sanding is needed to get any chance of binding. It's doable then too, but stripping and priming may be the better option, so you don't end up with a panzer guitar that one day will flake.


All this talk of painting I'm having to sit on my hands. I've never been happy with the vandalism bestowed on my 62 Road Worn by the previous owner and am pondering a Lake Placid or Daphin refinish. I can then undertake some light wear and let the rest happen of its own accord.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:06 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Peter S wrote:
Agreed just spraying a new colour over the top of the original will be much cheaper, but - even though Fender did it extensively(!) - it's not quite as good as a proper refinish, is it?


Care to comment on this guitar's finish......?

Image

Image

The MIM '50s Classic Series body was originally Surf Green. In virtually pristine and unplayed condition, I sent it out for a professional refinish with instructions for it to be lightly scuffed with #2000-grit then the new Taos Turquoise color sprayed directly over the old. No primer coat necessary as the new color was simpatico to the underlying shade. It turned out flawless and is virtually indistinguishable from a factory job. I saved about $140 by not having the original paint stripped.

Upshot? Stripping is unnecessary if the original finish has no visible damage and the new color is sufficiently opaque to cover it in a single coat. Not always a given but it can be done with forethought to the outcome.

Arjay
Yes Arjay, it looks lovely but I'm afraid my comment hasn't changed - "it's not quite as good as a proper refinish, is it?" Emphasis on the 'quite', which you seem to have ignored.

Personally, I don't want the thickness of paint you wind up with when you add more coats over the original poly. Sorry if you've taken offence, although why you should puzzles me - it's just an opinion. You obviously disagree, and that's fine.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:04 am
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Peter S wrote:
Yes Arjay, it looks lovely but I'm afraid my comment hasn't changed - "it's not quite as good as a proper refinish, is it?" Emphasis on the 'quite', which you seem to have ignored.


Not in the least.

I'm not ignoring it, I merely regard it as unsupportable equestrian scatology.

IMO, of course.

Please tell me that you don't labor under the misconception that a skilled craftsman can only turn out a quality product if he's wearing a photo ID badge issued by FMIC.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 6:02 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Please tell me that you don't labor under the misconception that a skilled craftsman can only turn out a quality product if he's wearing a photo ID badge issued by FMIC.Arjay

I can confirm that. Just can't work out how you think I might! Unless it was my comment that Fender sprayed one colour over another? No, I didn't much like that either!

Amazing how nothing on forums seems to read (to another) the way the writer intended...

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 6:25 am
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Peter S wrote:
Unless it was my comment that Fender sprayed one colour over another? No, I didn't much like that either!


I don't think that made them any less a Fender Strat. Just as with all those Strats exported to England in the early '60s that were immediately re-finished by the UK distributor before they were sold because it was thought that every Brit wanted a Fiesta Red guitar just like Hank Marvin's.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:50 am
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Quote:
I don't think that made them any less a Fender Strat.
Totally agree, and if you like relics, it's made the colour changes quite interesting - to be able to see what was underneath the top coat. A bit of history, you might say, even if it is a modern fake! But of course we aren't talking about thick poly finishes back then, are we? And, for me, it's just not a very elegant solution from an engineering point of view. I think the same about classic cars. I prefer bare-metal restorations - do NOT like '57 Bel Airs with different coloured engine bays / interiors!
Quote:
every Brit wanted a Fiesta Red guitar just like Hank Marvin's.
Well, I certainly did, but there was a small matter of money!

Had to Google 'unsupportable equestrian scatology' to discover it's an insult. Nice. Anyway, regardless of this, I agree your turquoise Strat looks great!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:07 am
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Peter S wrote:
I think the same about classic cars. I prefer bare-metal restorations - do NOT like '57 Bel Airs with different coloured engine bays / interiors!


I'm with you 100% on that (thankfully my '69 Chevelle was a body-off rotisserie restoration).

And while basic painting/refinishing protocols would be similar, those for a guitar are somewhat less stringent than those for an automobile.

Strip to bare wood if you must. But I just don't think it's necessary in every case.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Colours
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 12:35 pm
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Honey Blonde, Blizzard Pearl and Daphne Blue are my favorites.

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