Stage 1 - Stripping

 

  The first thing you need to do is remove the neck, and then all of the electronics.  Draw a detailed schematic of where every single wire and solder point is, then triple check it.  With the 5 way toggles and various coil tap options, it can be a bit confusing, so it is imperative that you don't goof up your schematic.
 
 

After the guitar is completely devoid of neck and electronics, you can begin the fun task of stripping the body of all factory paint and primer.  Without a doubt, prepping the body is the single most important part in this whole ordeal...  This kid will show up if you rush your work.
 
 
What I have found to be the best method of body stripping is a heat gun, and a small putty scraper.  Hold the heat gun over the paint, about 4" above the body and wait until you see little tiny bubbles.  Slowly start digging into it with your putty knife.  When heated properly, the paint will strip away like butter.  Here is the body before I removed the paint.
  Here is the start of removing the paint from the back.  The grey color you see underneath is the factory primer.
 
  Here is a shot with more paint removed, and a shot of the little tool I was using.  If the paint is difficult to remove, you are not getting it hot enough.  The scraping motion should be totally efforless, and the paint should peel away in large strips.
 
 

Shot of what the paint strips look like.  Again, if its hard to remove the paint, you are not letting it get hot enough.

 

 
 
                            Here is what the body will look like as you begin to remove all of the factory paint.
 
 
 
 

 

           Body with all paint removed, down to factory primer, ready for sanding.

 

 

 
Stage 2 - Sanding

 

 
Intro
Strip
Sand
Seal
Prime
Nitro
Clear Coat
Veneer
Stain
HOME