Official Luthiers Forum!

What products work well for you guys? As far as I can tell its some sort of Poly base... Also has anyone tried a torch?

I wouldn't refinish it.
I refinished a '71 Strat when I was a teenager.
I didn't like the sunburst.
I oiled it, and thought it looked great,
sold it.
Now, in hindsight, I lowered the value of that guitar considerably.
So, I don't know what your guitar is worth, but do know the Japanese Strats are worth more than the
Mexican and Korean ones.
Not that they are better,
it's just the "buzz".
If you do it, no torch, try some paint stripper,
or sand it off with 80 grit and get jiggy with it.
Good luck,
Alan.

thanks, im helping a buddy with this project, and we are totally aware of the decrease in value of the instrument and not worried about it... i was wondering if there are any strippers that work better than others on the poly based finish....

In my experience, plastic finishes are the pits to strip no matter what brand you use.
I hate sanding paint of any kind, and scrapers are a pain on the stuff.
Stripped one once with a spanking new razorblade, and then scraped until smooth.
Once an instrument has been sanded, I don't like to sand it again when re-finishing.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

If you're going to spray a new finish, just scuff and spray over top. A factory sealer is a good thing.

That's an idea! I used DuPont 1980S sealer - it's like shrinkwrap in a can. It's water thin (no reducer or thinner needed), and sprays nicely. Two thins coats, scuff with scotchbrite, and apply your new finish.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Those Jap Fenders are going to go for insane money at some point. They are superior in many ways to most anything Fender has offered from other countries. Someone's going to stir the pot and these things will go for insane cash, especially the 80's models. I'm talking like current 50's and 60's strat money. I would definitely not alter it permanently in any way.

Some financial advice..... Any oddball Fender instrument that was designed and built in the 80's and 90's (before they were built on U.S.. soil again) snatch it and stash it somewhere safe. Fender Performers, special editions, Mustang and Jaguar Basses, or anything else that it exclusive to the era will be worth a LOT once the fad gets going. They may even go for more money because the parts that were used back then are rare and harder to replicate. An all original Fender Performer with a case may reach five digit numbers in ten years or so for example.

Well, if that's true.... I know where a couple Fender Katana's are.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince