Paint Stripper Safe on Chap Custom

[juanbtz]

Hello everyone. I'm in the process of stripping down a Chaparral custom and I was wondering if it safe to use paint stripper on a guitar? I'm concerned that it will cause issues with the wood. Also how do you clean the residue of the paint stripper? I stripped the neck and I noticed that even after sanding my hand gets irritated when i touch it. I also wiped it down multiple times thanks!

[juanbtz]

Okay, I will try a heat gun when I get the chance. I'm going to try to avoid the paint stripper.

[Studio Custom]

Acetone will remove the paint and leave the filler intact.  

[mirrorimij]

Hamer used a product called QRB paint stripper.  I think there was an infomercial advertising it in the late 90s.

I don't think that is available anymore.  Ax in Hand used a product called Zip strip.  I remember using that on an old Fender.  It took off everything but the Fullerplast.  We had to sand off the Fullerplast.  That stuff was bulletproof.

[chromium]

I had used Methylene Chloride ("Aircraft Stripper") to lift most of the poly finish off my Czech-made faker 'bird, and a scraper/naptha to clean it up.  Minimal sanding, and didn't run into issues.  

That said, it's nasty stuff - so if you can get by without chemicals, go for it.

 

Pore filled (maho body), sand & sealed, primered and resprayed w/ocean turquoise nitro...

[Stike]

On March 16, 2016 at 6:59 PM, juanbtz said:

Okay, I will try a heat gun when I get the chance. I'm going to try to avoid the paint stripper.

The Chaps are all pre 1992 (?) so they have nitrocellulose topcoat clear. It's REALLY flammable so I vote no on the heat gun. 

Nitro. has little chemical resistance so something like Citri Strip will work fine. Once you have it stripped wipe down in this order using a new rag for each step  

Rag dampened with warm water. 

Lacquer thinner.

Alcohol

Mineral spirits

Amonia/Water mix. 2 ounces per quart. 

[Stike]

1 hour ago, gtrdaddy said:

The application process ONLY, is dangerous because in liquid state it is highly flammable. What is flammable in Nitrocellulose Lacquer are the solvents used in it to keep it in liquid form which dissipate upon application and are evaporated into the air. When dry it poses no explosive or flammable risk. It is perfectly fine to strip with a heat gun. See the video below on repairing damage to Nitrocellulose finishes; in this StewMac example they use a piece of nitrocellulose finished furniture with a HEAT BLADE to make the repair. It doesn't explode or catch fire and the heat blade is recommended.

The solution you mention above with Alcohol, Mineral Spirits and Lacquer thinner are way more flammable than a heat gun and a dried nitro finish.

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Instrument_Finishing_and_Finish_Repair/Burn-in_Procedures_Using_Behlen_Lacquer_Repair_Kit.html

If you got to the StewMac link above, you will see this process if being done on a Nitro finish.

 

A heat gun can get a lot hotter than one of those heat irons, hot enough to ignite dried nitrocellulose. 

If you're carefull with a heat gun it will definitely work but there have been times when I had the gun set a too hot, wasn't moving fast enough and the nitro. ignited. It can burn without oxygen so if it gets going putting it out can be difficult. 

Yes, total operator error on my end but I've never had urethane or polyester ignite the way I've seen nitro. can. Instead of I vote no I could have said a heat gun works but be really carefull by not setting the gun too hot and don't keep it focused on one spot for too long.

For me, I choose to I chemically strip nitro. finishes and only use a heat gun on catalyzed finishes. 

Ultimately to the OP no matter what you use be very careful and take precautions to protect yourself.

[HAMERMAN]

Probably goes without saying but be sure to wear safety glasses as sometimes paint "popcorns" and the paint chips shoot off the body. This may be particular to thick urethane or polyester finishes but better safe than sorry.

[juanbtz]

Thanks for helpful information everyone. The paint stripper was called Klean Strip. Just recently I tried to neutralize the paint stripper with a combination of vinegar and water. Hopefully it works and if not I will approach it with what Stike said:

"Rag dampened with warm water. 

Lacquer thinner.

Alcohol

Mineral spirits

Amonia/Water mix. 2 ounces per quart."

[BubbaVO]

Take off the hardware.   Spray paint it flat black with rustoleum.  Slap naked raygun / butthole surfers stickers on it.  Reattach all hardware.   You're good to go.

[Steve Haynie]

It looks like your Chaparral has had a headstock repair. 

[juanbtz]

On 3/27/2016 at 4:44 PM, Steve Haynie said:

It looks like your Chaparral has had a headstock repair. 

Yes, it was stated when I made the purchase. I had some stainless frets put on it. 

[juanbtz]

On 3/25/2016 at 9:40 AM, BubbaVO said:

Take off the hardware.   Spray paint it flat black with rustoleum.  Slap naked raygun / butthole surfers stickers on it.  Reattach all hardware.   You're good to go.

And then I'll proceed by shoving it up your ....