dwrockdoctor
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2018
- Messages
- 94
Hi all!
So, I have bought back a much loved 1998 PRS CE24 that I regretfully sold off about 5 years ago but had the recent opportunity to acquire it again. It is in black cherry finish with a one piece maple top with quite a beautiful figure to the flame.
Unfortunately it had been stored in it's case under a bed for at least a few years and when I opened up the case I had to wipe away a little bit of mildew from the fretboard and headstock. After a week or so of having it back I have noticed it has developed some clouding on the edges of the finish in places which must be from some moisture in the case over a long period of storage.
The guitar plays amazingly, as good as I always remembered it and has a wonderful acoustic tone as well as plugged in.
My question: I would like to get rid of the clouding in the clear coat, what is the best and safest way to strip back the clear coat?
I found someone online who had used the heat gun and scraper method on his CE24 and said the clear came off like butter and was easy. Someone else had used chemical stripper and another had simply sanded back. I'm scared my sanding skills aren't up to scratch and will affect the contours of the body. As far as chemical stripper goes, I'm not sure what type to use if I go this route and if it will affect the colour and dye when it comes in contact.
I will most likely keep the original colour and dye intact (though I wouldn't mind fading it back somewhat, does black cherry fade from UV exposure and to what colour?). Possibly finish it with some kind of tru-oil finish for a more satin, played in patina, I'm not super keen on the dipped in glass finish like I used to be and generally like my guitars to look a little more worn in.
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read this, would love to hear some opinions on how to best achieve this goal. Cheer guys!
So, I have bought back a much loved 1998 PRS CE24 that I regretfully sold off about 5 years ago but had the recent opportunity to acquire it again. It is in black cherry finish with a one piece maple top with quite a beautiful figure to the flame.
Unfortunately it had been stored in it's case under a bed for at least a few years and when I opened up the case I had to wipe away a little bit of mildew from the fretboard and headstock. After a week or so of having it back I have noticed it has developed some clouding on the edges of the finish in places which must be from some moisture in the case over a long period of storage.
The guitar plays amazingly, as good as I always remembered it and has a wonderful acoustic tone as well as plugged in.
My question: I would like to get rid of the clouding in the clear coat, what is the best and safest way to strip back the clear coat?
I found someone online who had used the heat gun and scraper method on his CE24 and said the clear came off like butter and was easy. Someone else had used chemical stripper and another had simply sanded back. I'm scared my sanding skills aren't up to scratch and will affect the contours of the body. As far as chemical stripper goes, I'm not sure what type to use if I go this route and if it will affect the colour and dye when it comes in contact.
I will most likely keep the original colour and dye intact (though I wouldn't mind fading it back somewhat, does black cherry fade from UV exposure and to what colour?). Possibly finish it with some kind of tru-oil finish for a more satin, played in patina, I'm not super keen on the dipped in glass finish like I used to be and generally like my guitars to look a little more worn in.
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read this, would love to hear some opinions on how to best achieve this goal. Cheer guys!