Paint work...am I im for greif

[Model1VH2]

I agree with Mark and use the existing paintjob to your advantage.
Of course, that's assuming the existing paintjob is in decent shape (no chips, deep scratches, ect.)
If the existing paintjob IS all f'd up, I'd say strip it off and start fresh.
The difference between a good paintjob and a great paintjob begins with proper body prep IMO.

[Racerx2k]

Yes, I was making those assumptions, as well. If it's just a couple of minor nicks, you can always dropfill with superglue, prior to the refin.

[mm2002]

my best advice is to pay someone else to do it. you'll be much happier with the end result. which reminds me...mark, i gotta talk to you about a project!

Give me a call any time brother. From what I've seen though, pretty soon I'll be asking YOU for advise!

[RacerX]

my best advice is to pay someone else to do it. you'll be much happier with the end result. which reminds me...mark, i gotta talk to you about a project!

Heh, which is exactly what I'll be doing. Hi Mark.

[Dave-o]

Sorry, Dave-O, but I'd be more apt to follow MM's advise on this. Stripping would be an unnecessary task. Like the man said: "Let the original finish be your friend.".

That's fine. Indeed it's not necessary, but your guitar will sound better.

[Racerx2k]

I betcha most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

[mm2002]

I dunno man, some people here seem to have bionic ears!
(that's not my own, I quoted it from Dave!)

[Racerx2k]

Mark Austin. A man, barely alive. We can rebuild him: We have the power. We have the technology..............And we have the Erector Set!

[jackson1]

That's fine. Indeed it's not necessary, but your guitar will sound better.

That's the main reason why i stripped a Fernandes Rhoads completely from (thick!) paint before refinishing it.

It's now insane loud when played acoustically.

[skorb]

Let the original finish be your friend, don't strip it.

I redid a Tele last summer, my first and so far only refinish (once you do one all the way through, you don't want to do another and I even cheated in a few areas) and I wish I had heard this advice back then. oh well. stripping it all the way down to the wood and then sanding, priming and painting and clearcoating from there was good experience I guess.

[sully]

kinda like how mowing the lawn when you're a kid "builds character?"

[skorb]

yup, but this time it was self-inflicted.

I enjoyed doing it, really. but it can be frustrating.