I have a 1964 pre CBS Strat that the body was painted with regular spray paint that is not in good shape. Is there a way to refinish it back to its original sunburst finish or get a new body?
Would this hurt the value?
What is the best way o restore its value.

Wow...that's gonna be a toughy. -If- the original finish is still under the spray paint and -if- it's still in decent shape, yes...absolutely it would be worth trying to restore. Of course the problems here are that 1.) You probably don't know if/what that original finish looks like and 2.) once you start, there's no turning back.

As far as hurting the value, that two is a 50/50 thing. -If- the original finish is still intact and can be restore, then that should only increase the value however if you attempt this without knowing what you're doing and you end up damaging the original finish even more than the repaint did, then you'll be taking away from the value...considerably. In other words, if you don't have the experience, I really wouldn't touch this one.

Normally when it comes to guitar refinishing, I usually say go for it...it's your guitar and if you would to paint little paisley polka dots on it, groovy. Since this however is (apparently) a genuine vintage instrument, seriously...I wouldn't touch it...at least not yet. I'd take the guitar to a few folks who specialize in vintage instruments and/or restoration and get some serious professional opinions (as apposed to a bunch of folks on a guitar forum who may be nothing more than nut cases such as myself).

Now I will say that my wife was in fact able to take her old Kay bass, which had the same thing done (spray paint over the original) and with a great deal of time and tedious effort on her part, she was able to restore the original finish. However and I must emphasize this, her bass was NOT a vintage classic such as your '64. Seriously...if this is a genuine '64, I wouldn't touch a thing on it until I spoke in person with some folks experienced with this sort of thing where they could look at the guitar and give you a proper appraisal and some idea of where to go with it.


That all said...a '64...I think I speak for many of us when I say "pictures please!"

Peace,
Jim

I agree with Jim!! Pictures please!

Well if its regular spray paint it will be easy to remove and see if the original under coat is still on there. ( fullerplast) Decide from there on how to proceed.

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Sorry i don't know how to get the photos on here, they are not on a public server.
I am on Long Island NY does anyone know know a reputable refinisher in this area?

I was in exactly this situation about 30 years ago!
The value of the guitar has already been ruined (cut in half) by the non-original paint job, so IMO you have nothing to lose.

If the original finish is under there and can be "recovered," then you will increase the value. At worst, you might want to give it a good paint job (like mine got 30+ years ago, see picture below) and it's value will be half of what an original finish would be worth. About the same as it's worth now.

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My other guitar is a Strat.