Exm-1 explorer guitar build

[Sachin]

Sorry don’t think the pics uploaded correctly

[Sachin]

Hi all,

Unfortunately I have had to come to the decision to strip my paint job and start over. I ruined my efforts by accidentally tipping some acetone onto the guitar while on the bench and it ate through certain spots of the paint, creating an ugly look of circular depressions in the paint. Couldn’t live with it.... had to start over.

I’ve begun sanding back the paint to the primer (apologies for the mess in the background). Do I have to get rid of all the black paint, or can I just scuff it up real good such that a few black spots can be here and there. In other words, the next coats of paint can still stick to the paint already on the guitar, not just the primer?

[FrankenWashie]

As long as you can level it out to get rid of the acetone damage, you should be able to coat over the top of the existing. I think about 600 grit should do it.

Once you are down to a (relatively) clean even surface, clean off the dust and give it a wipe down with tack cloths or alcohol wipes. let it dry and then have at it again with the paint. And keep the acetone away from it!

Congratulations on passing a milestone in your building....stuffing up your first finish...it is a noble tradition and we've all been there and done it, sometimes more than once. My first build was an EXA-1 that ended up being refinished 4 times! best of luck with it!

[Sachin]

As long as you can level it out to get rid of the acetone damage, you should be able to coat over the top of the existing. I think about 600 grit should do it.

Once you are down to a (relatively) clean even surface, clean off the dust and give it a wipe down with tack cloths or alcohol wipes. let it dry and then have at it again with the paint. And keep the acetone away from it!

Congratulations on passing a milestone in your building....stuffing up your first finish...it is a noble tradition and we've all been there and done it, sometimes more than once. My first build was an EXA-1 that ended up being refinished 4 times! best of luck with it!

I sure made sure to do that this time. Got a better coat of paint this time around and have begun staining the neck. Also received delivery of my Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickup set.

[Sachin]

After a busy week, got to staining the veneer top with the back and sides painted. However, there were so many glue spots around the edges of the veneer near the binding that the stain just wouldn’t soak in and I was left with patches of wood which really looked ugly. So I decided to spray paint a contour around the edge of the veneer in solid black to avoid the issue of the glue spots, which I couldn’t remove with GOOF OFF or steel wool.

With the glue spots covered and a contour of black paint around the veneer edge, I am looking to do some sort of makeshift purple burst. I stained the top black and then sanded it back to highlight the quilt maple. Currently preparing it for the purple stain.