Removing A Guitar Paintjob [EASY TUTORIAL]

Finally, the very first tutorial in a new format. I introduce to you all: "The HomeBrew - Tutorials On Building Guitars At Home"

In this very first episode, I answer one of my most frequently asked questions: how to remove a guitar paintjob? As well as showing you how to do this, I also show you the steps you need to take in prepping for your new finish.
-T

00:00-00:53 Introduction
00:53-01:56 Disclaimer: Workshop Use
01:56-02:45 Sanding: Getting Started
02:45-03:48 Recognizing Resins/Sealer Coats
03:48-06:15 Removing Paint From The Body
06:15-06:47 Sanding the Neck
06:47-09:05 Why I Prefer Sanding to Other Techniques
09:05-11:53 Moving Through Sand Paper Grits
11:53-13:06 Recap on Best Sanding Practices
13:06-16:35 Wetting the Grain
16:35-18:44 Discussing the Next Steps
18:44-19:55 Hand Sanding
19:55-22:28 Fine Sanding
22:28-23:08 Tip to Headstock Sanding
23:08-25:25 Conclusion & Outro
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[johnnydswing]

Excellent video! I’m a big believer of sanding, the heat gun is nuts.
👏👏👏

[Nic-tgei]

That's CRAZY! this is the exact guitar model I'm removing the finish from, in black!

[rthavi]

Thanks for this. I'm working on an old guitar and wanted to see someone go through this through all the grits and just acknowledge, to me, that I'm not crazy for being too diligent and not using chemicals and heat.

[robertlambrecht]

So I just got home from Walmart with a sander and have started sanding the back of my telecaster and it's looking great so far 👍🏼

[giboney]

I’ve refinished several guitars and as far as the sealer coat goes, it’s been my experience, as long as you use a good primer and give it a few solid coats of primer you can leave the sealer coat. If you’re doing a transparent finish of some sort then yeah you may want to strip down to bare wood. I also usually chemical strip my projects then sand.
Nice work stripping that body with a sander. I usually worry about leaving a flat edge somewhere from the sander.

[quietstorm]

Glad I found this vid.. best method clearest explanation

[andrewcasey]

This has been invaluable! Thank you so very much for this.

[Zartimus]

Great example of how to do it! Thanks!

[BakaBrian]

This is an insanely useful tutorial, thank you very much! I just recently bought a beat up Ibanez RG to work on, and the thing has a crazy amount of dings all over (no chips though). Would starting at 80 grit still work find for getting the surface even?

[commanderwilliamtriker]

Awesome video, learned a lot from it. You answered a lot of my questions. Thanx.

[jazzman]

Thanks for this intelligent video.
I know I'm nuts but I'd leave it natural. I like joints and blemishes.

[bcrater]

Excellent video. Very informative and well presented.

[DumbGeek]

12:10 love that you left that in, most people completely cut out little jokes like that when they think theyre stupid but your reaction to your own joke made it 10x funnier!

[TheWarriorSongProject]

I'd like to see somebody do this with a les paul where the neck doesnt come off.

[MarkAnthony]

Gr8 video m8. Much appreciated 🙏 very talented detailed look forward to more. ✌

[Wesleyd]

Great vid, I’m getting an orbital sander for this exact project -- do you have some kind of soft pad attachment? If so what kind? I’ll look for a similar one. Thanks!

[fufc]

Got to u from reddit
First vid i open has periphery guitars and coffee in it
Im subbed for life lol

[TKD]

Nice video I'm going to do the same thing to my acoustic but I just want the wood finish I'm going to sand it down to the wood and then use some tongue finish oil. I painted it black and the more I look at it it just looks terrible and every guitar I've ever played that didn't have a gloss finish just sounds more crisp to me and to be honest my guitar is not a good guitar so I'm trying to do everything I can to make it sound better. Anyways thanks for the advice nice video

[Obertassie]

Thank you for the great tutorial, sir. I was looking for such a thorough explanation.
But I have a couple of questions. I am currently working on my old trusty Yamaha Pacifica giving it oil finish. I have started to remove old lacquer with a P100 grit, sanding by hand. Could you please advise the correct sequence?
Sanding 100 (or 80, but I have already started with 100). Then 120, 240, 320. At this point what should I do? Steel wool or rising the grain with water? Which grits should I use after watering?
Sanding with 400 and 600 grit is done after watering? I’m a bit confused here.

Many thanks in advance.

[cleangoblin]

I successfully sanded mine by hand thank you.
I wasted 5 hours with the wrong brands or type of sand paper.

Ive tried different brands in different grits like 3m's 80, 180, 240, 320.
All of them got destroyed and clogged up.

The next day i was tired and desperate and got a 180, Wonderwork(some china paper) silicon carbide.
Freaking hell* 20 mins of work, ive completely stripped the guitar.
Use a sanding block