john_the_bass Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 ok, so it's not a bass, but I picked up a strat last night and the guy I bought it off had sprayed the name of his old band with a stencil onto the case. I am extremely inexperienced in matters relating to paint so I would like to know what would be the best stuff to get it off. Any suggestions? He says turps would shift it, but I really don't think it will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 cheers for the tips, but the stencil has been sprayed on to the case (you know - the Fender SKB moulded jobs). I don't think I'd buy a guitar off somebody who'd spray painted it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 I'd try a bit of white spirits (or turps) on it first to see if you can lift it and then rub it off with a cloth. I don't think it'll hurt the plastic, but don't take my word for it, test a small drop on a corner and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 White spirit and elbow grease will shift some of it. I've used paint thinners in the past with varying results. Stiff scrubbing brush and soap and water also gives pretty good results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 [quote name='john_the_bass' post='82074' date='Nov 1 2007, 08:46 AM']ok, so it's not a bass, but I picked up a strat last night and the guy I bought it off had sprayed the name of his old band with a stencil onto the case. I am extremely inexperienced in matters relating to paint so I would like to know what would be the best stuff to get it off. Any suggestions? He says turps would shift it, but I really don't think it will.[/quote] paint it black... is it crucial you have the case back to original condition? if not, then just mask off a rectangle around his band logo and go for it with matt black primer... then you can do your name in the same place instead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 If it's a moulded case odds are it's made from ABS plastic which is a sod to paint without the right stuff. Elbow grease, a nail brush & the solvent of your choice (Try the above - they won't hurt it, but stay away from cellulose/xylene type (spray) thinners as these [i]could[/i] etch the surface) should get results. If it doesn't, try the following... Fairy Power Spray - [url="http://www.mksmc.co.uk/hintsandtips/hints.htm#Paint%20Stripper"][u][b]Write Up[/b][/u][/url] - also recommends Mr Muscle oven cleaner. Flash Liquid - Used to work well at getting Humbrol Enamel off plastic kits, but may now be too safe to be any good. Washing Soda - Mix the crystals up with water until no more will dissolve, pop on your best Marigolds & get scrubbing. [url="http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/Modelstrip-productx314229.html?zenid=2q1qm61n9vj14nu5bala6g4320"][u][b]ModelStrip[/b][/u][/url] & if none of the above work, there's always Caustic Soda (gloves & goggles compulsory). Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Try Cif (or Jif as it used to be called). I'd thin it down to 50% with water and don't rub too heavily or it will shine the surface of the case but you should be able to match it in (try it on a little area first). I've used this combo in the past on black plastic car bumpers with paint overspray with good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 [quote name='Buzz' post='82270' date='Nov 1 2007, 02:09 PM']I'd try a bit of white spirits (or turps) on it first to see if you can lift it and then rub it off with a cloth. I don't think it'll hurt the plastic, but don't take my word for it, test a small drop on a corner and see what happens.[/quote] I had a bash with the surgical spirit last night and it lifted all the surface paint off, which is great and then the meths cleaned the stuff that i spread around afterwards! There is still paint there, but it's faded so I think it might either need elbow grease or something else. [quote name='Paul Cooke' post='82451' date='Nov 1 2007, 06:55 PM']paint it black... is it crucial you have the case back to original condition? if not, then just mask off a rectangle around his band logo and go for it with matt black primer... then you can do your name in the same place instead...[/quote] If I was definitely going to keep it, then no it wouldn't matter to me, but knowing how quickly I get through guitars in particular, something else will probably come along in the next 6 months or so and I'll want to sell it - I imagine that a logo on an otherwise mint case, might put a potential buyer off? I did think about spraying my own logo on there, but I've not got any further than the thought part. [quote name='Bloodaxe' post='82545' date='Nov 1 2007, 10:34 PM']If it's a moulded case odds are it's made from ABS plastic which is a sod to paint without the right stuff. Elbow grease, a nail brush & the solvent of your choice (Try the above - they won't hurt it, but stay away from cellulose/xylene type (spray) thinners as these [i]could[/i] etch the surface) should get results. If it doesn't, try the following... Fairy Power Spray - [url="http://www.mksmc.co.uk/hintsandtips/hints.htm#Paint%20Stripper"][u][b]Write Up[/b][/u][/url] - also recommends Mr Muscle oven cleaner. Flash Liquid - Used to work well at getting Humbrol Enamel off plastic kits, but may now be too safe to be any good. Washing Soda - Mix the crystals up with water until no more will dissolve, pop on your best Marigolds & get scrubbing. [url="http://www.wonderlandmodels.com/Modelstrip-productx314229.html?zenid=2q1qm61n9vj14nu5bala6g4320"][u][b]ModelStrip[/b][/u][/url] & if none of the above work, there's always Caustic Soda (gloves & goggles compulsory). Pete.[/quote] I'll try those I think [quote name='martthebass' post='82938' date='Nov 2 2007, 09:01 PM']Try Cif (or Jif as it used to be called). I'd thin it down to 50% with water and don't rub too heavily or it will shine the surface of the case but you should be able to match it in (try it on a little area first). I've used this combo in the past on black plastic car bumpers with paint overspray with good results.[/quote] And I'll try these as well if none of the above work. I did talk to a luthier pal of mine who is currently working on a couple of my guitars. he said something along the lines of one type of paint coming off with thinners or turps, the other type (acrlylic I think) coming off with a blowtorch! Obviously that's not an option, so it may just have to stay there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 Pete, that model strip looks like a great idea, only problem is that after it's applied, whatever it's applied to needs to be sealed in an air tight plastic bag and then rinsed under running water. A great idea, but I think a case is a bit big to do it effectively!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.