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Removing enamel paint ?

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(@mordeth)
Estimable Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 127
Topic starter  

hi guys,

due to an unfortunate child related incident i now have a rather large amount of enamel paint plastered across the front of my guitar. for anyone familiar with Airfix models thats the paint im talking about.

does anyone have any suggestions for removing this without damaging the guitar finish ?
im thinking a little water and a lot of elbow grease or a fine sandpaper ?

cheers for any suggestions

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(@greybeard)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5840
 

I'm sorry, but I think you may have a problem. If I remember (it's many years since I've built an Airfix kit), the paint is solvent based, not water based. Water and hard work will not be enough.
There's a faint possibility that, when the paint dries, it will lift off like a scab, especially if your guitar had not been cleaned recently (grease residue could provide a barrier to the enamel). Your pickguard, though, will not clean, as the paint is designed to adhere to plastics.
The bottom line is - what is the solvent used in the paint?

I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
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(@terminator)
Reputable Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 276
 

The paint definately peels off anything that's not plastic, you just gotta let it dry for a couple of hours.

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(@mordeth)
Estimable Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 127
Topic starter  

thanks for the replies guys,

the paint is kinda coming off with a lot of scrubbing with a cloth, but not 'peeling' off.

i know i use white spirits to clean my paint brushes, so im thinking a little could be used to clean the guitar - will this affect the laquer ?
im thinking it wont, but best to ask first :)

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(@dogbite)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
 

white spirits is also known as denatured alcohol.

alcohol will not effect lacquer (nitrocellulous).
it will do a number on french polish (shellac based).

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