Off Topic Stripping EBMM finish with a heat gun

[ZeRaskolnikoff]

Hey guys!

I'm planning on refinishing my Silo Special, which has a great Graphite Pearl (?) finish on it. I love the guitar, I appreciate the quality of finish that after 2 years of playing and gigging remained like new, but I never liked that color as much and. In fact, I bought the guitar for tonal qualities and the color was not a consideration. I really like surf green/ming green color and that what I want to have on my Silo after all. BTW, at the time I purchased the guitar such color was not available... Moreover, I got the only Silo Special SSS tremolo available in Toronto and surrounding area at the time ))

So far I saw just one post about refinishing Silo, where the author stripped it with a heat gun.

I was wondering if any of you guys have ever attempted stripping an EBMM body with such tool and what was your experience like?

Your input is much appreciated!

 

[luv]

I did a ton of research on the subject at the time of posting this thread.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/35832-what-do-refinish-not.html

In the end, I chose not to do it. I heard nightmare stories (some from fellow knuckleheads) about refinishers having guitar bodies for close to a year. Since then I've sprayed some headstocks myself....with good results. But stripping the bomber poly finish off of an EBMM was more than I wanted to take on. I do think that the heatgun would be the way to go.

Do a search for a thread by "Morbid". He took on a pantload of work on a JP. You might get some good info from that thread.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I used a heat gun and took the poly coat off of a JP - it worked great! The poly would bubble and then slightly separate from the sealer coat, at which point a metal spatula was able to lift it off the rest of the way.

Take your time and be careful, it gets hot hot hot.

 

[ZeRaskolnikoff]

Thanks for your feedback, guys! That's much appreciated!

PeteDuBaldo, how much time did it take to get to the wood on your JP?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Honestly I don't remember how long it took, it was a few years back. I do remember that I kept burning my fingertips on the spatula, tho.

 

[patpark]

devil's advocate here, removing the finish will change the tone. If you refinish, that will also change the tone. If you like how the guitar sounds now, I wouldn't expect it to sound the same after stripping the old finish and applying new finish.

It may sound better after all that or it may sound worse. You never know until you do it, but then it may be too late.

 

[ZeRaskolnikoff]

Thanks patpark, I appreciate your input. Many people's who did refinish claim that they did not notice significant change in tone... But still, your argument is something to think about. Again, thank you!

devil's advocate here, removing the finish will change the tone. If you refinish, that will also change the tone. If you like how the guitar sounds now, I wouldn't expect it to sound the same after stripping the old finish and applying new finish.

It may sound better after all that or it may sound worse. You never know until you do it, but then it may be too late.

 

[ZeRaskolnikoff]

Pete, did you notice any change in the guitar's tone?

 

[e.mate]

Look here...these are the brothers to turn to...

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...-man-john-petrucci-6-restoration-project.html

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/43066-im-stripping-off.html

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Pete, did you notice any change in the guitar's tone?

Well it had original 1gen custom-wound pickups in it and after it was finished it had a D-sonic in the bridge so YES!