Stripping Nitrocellulose Paint

jennywallace · May 2023

Hi all, what's the best thing for stripping nitrocellulose paint off a guitar body? I've read that acetone is the thing to use - would people recommend this or is there something better.

It's a guitar I'm building and I'm not happy with my paint job, so want to strip it and start again! It's an alder body and currently has a layer of sanding sealer, followed by a layer of primer then the colour.

Thanks.

rexter · May 2023

Acetone will work - use a very fine abralon pad or even a non scratch scourer from the kitchen and that will bring it off. If you want it to come off more quickly, a stripper like Nitromors will do it. Or there's a really evil product called Langlow Strip Away pro that will eat through everything quickly but needs serious safety gear to use and may be overkill for nitro.

jennywallace · May 2023

Thanks @rexter I'll go with the acetone. Cheers.

SteveRobinson · May 2023

I find butanone (methyl ethyl ketone, MEK) better as it's less volatile and so hangs around to dissolve the lacquer more thoroughly. Acetone evaporates much more quickly, meaning that you have to keep applying it.

You can stick the whole thing in a plastic bag while the solvent does its stuff to slow its evaporation.

jennywallace · May 2023

Ah cool, thanks Steve, that sounds like a good option.

Deadman · May 2023

Keep it wet and it’ll do the work for you. Good guidance from Steve there.

jennywallace · May 2023

Thanks @Deadman will do.

Deadman · May 2023

jennywallace said:

Thanks @Deadman will do.

Not to mention evaporating your hard earned dosh

Stick it in a bag, get the air out and seal it up quickly. Having said that, the thinner it is then the easier it’ll be to remove. Best of luck with it, Jenny.

nero1701 · May 2023

Deadman said:

jennywallace said:

Thanks @Deadman will do.

Not to mention evaporating your hard earned dosh Stick it in a bag, get the air out and seal it up quickly. Having said that, the thinner it is then the easier it’ll be to remove. Best of luck with it, Jenny.

Don't suck the air out...

Kittyfrisk · May 2023

^ Spoilsport

Deadman · May 2023

nero1701 said:

Deadman said:

jennywallace said:

Thanks @Deadman will do.

Not to mention evaporating your hard earned dosh Stick it in a bag, get the air out and seal it up quickly. Having said that, the thinner it is then the easier it’ll be to remove. Best of luck with it, Jenny.

Don't suck the air out...

I loved the 80’s.

Sarge · May 2023

I soak a small teatowel in acetone and lay it over the body and seal it in a small under-bed storage tupperwear type container, an hour or so and the towel should still be damp. enough to use as the rag to wipe away the sludge.

jennywallace · May 2023

Cool, thanks @Sarge good tip.

ewal · May 2023

I've been planning to remove a nitro finish which is sprayed over poly using acetone, but I'm having second thoughts. I'm worried what it might do to the binding and also the fretboard (although guess I could protect that).

Don't fancy a simple refinish project turning in to something more complex. I might just spray over the current finish instead.

Hope you're project is going well.

jennywallace · June 2023

Thanks @ewal I haven't done it yet as I've been so busy! If the weather is good at the weekend I might sit outside and do it.

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Stripping Nitrocellulose Paint

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