'61 Jazzmaster: removing refin to restore original finish

[mordecainyc]

I recently had my below 1961 Jazzmaster - which has an old OW refin - serviced by guitar tech supreme Vinkie. He told me that the patch of elbow playwear appears to show the original, yellowed Olympic White finish.. Although it is kind of hard to tell whether this is indeed the case, and although the old refin is actually quite nice in its own way, the news nevertheless got me pretty excited...

So, I got some steel wool 000 and a little bit of white spirit (turpentine) and went to work, slowly sanding the upper paint layer away. Below is where I got so far. It seems to be working, although in one small spot I already seem to have sanded through the original paint as well. The most yellow part in the middle is where the original playwear is/was, the slightly less yellow part around it is my "work".

Has anyone around here tried this before? Am I doing a decent job or is there a better method?

Generally, do you guys say "yay" or "nay" to removing this upper paint layer? Any second opinions on whether this indeed looks to be the original finish underneath is also appreciated!

[JoeySlush]

I tried standing it down on a 63 JAG. Was pretty pleased with the result. Check this post.

http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... 42&t=80971

[mordecainyc]

Thanks man! That's a pretty stunning BMM Jag, by the way..

[mgeek]

I'm no expert but is there any chance that could be a factory original overspray over an imperfect oly white?

That aside- turps and steel wool is 100% NOT the way forward. I have done this before by very carefully wetsanding (with a sanding block) with very high grit paper. Like, 1500 grit, nice and wet.

Steel wool is a recipe for disaster- sand throughs, uneven, swirly end result...

All that aside- it looked cool to start with imo...maybe just leave it?

[mcjt]

mineral spirits, super fine paper and a block, of course.
it could be an original blond finish on ash.
GO GENTLY, IF AT ALL.

[sdbthai41]

I did the same type of restoration on a 1967 Jaguar. I wet sanded it with 2000 grit and it took a long time but the results were worth it. If I remember correctly it took a few weekends of work but it was slow and enjoyable given the results. There are some areas where you cannot avoid to rub through where there are edges but that's all part of the fun.

[mordecainyc]

Many thanks for the replies guys. I will switch to sandpaper and keep you posted..

[mordecainyc]

I'm no expert but is there any chance that could be a factory original overspray over an imperfect oly white?

That aside- turps and steel wool is 100% NOT the way forward. I have done this before by very carefully wetsanding (with a sanding block) with very high grit paper. Like, 1500 grit, nice and wet.

Steel wool is a recipe for disaster- sand throughs, uneven, swirly end result...

All that aside- it looked cool to start with imo...maybe just leave it?

Pretty sure it's not factory original, although it looks cool. But I just can't resist trying to get that old finish back!

[mgeek]

Many thanks for the replies guys. I will switch to sandpaper and keep you posted..

and a sanding block! it should be perfectly possible to do this with no sand throughs of the original finish, just gotta be patient and do it properly

good luck!

[Embenny]

Not sure I'd want to poke that bear - it looked great to start off. Hope you get results you're happy with!

[otis]

I'm also very curious to see how this turned out.

[JKR]

Any new progress pics?
I love these drawn out story threads....