HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

[evh_slash]

Hey , i put a decal on my guitar body and sprayed some Lacquer / acrylic clear spray on it because the directions said this helps "seal" the vinyl decal.... However now my guitar looks a bit "greasy" or marked where the clear coat has dried around the decal Is there any way i can remove these horrible greasy marks that the clear coat has left ??
It looks like where somebody has ran there fingers against glass on a cold day ....

 

[AlexR]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

Sandpaper.

either your prep was poor, or you got some blushing

edit - was you body lacquer to begin with - I'm thinking paint incompatibility too....which means LOTS of sandpaper.

 

[evh_slash]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

I dunno i just shook the can and sprayed some over the decal... I only tried following the instructions **** its a brand new ibanez RG too...... :\ No paint strippers or any kind of stripper or white spirits ??? Would anything like that work ??

 

[CookSDR]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

Sounds like a bummer. I'd try nail polish remover and maybe even dilute it with a little water ...then go slow on it so the finish doesn't screw up. Since it's acrylic, it's still water based.

Good Luck!

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

nail polish remover and PVC primer are both acetone
the primer is mainly colored purple for plumbing inspectors
but if you can find the clear it should work as well

the finish on the RG is probably a polyester of some sort

the acetone will probably remove the lacquer but wont do the poly any good either
you will just end up with a bigger blemish

sand lightly, the entire top were the sticker/lacquer is
up almost to the binding gently dress the finish to the binding

I would remove the pickups and neck
but if you just remove the pickups/electronics you should be ok
if the strings come off then the bridge should come right off and you should be good


stain and respray the top
( rattle can will do, just use the correct finish
and mask off the unsanded parts to prevent overspray
incase you again have the wrong finish )

 

[dominus]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

Very light application of acetone. (On a rag, not directly on the body.) It might dull the shine on the poly, but shouldn't harm it.

I used acetone to remove the lacquer from one of my refinishes. Didn't touch the poly underneath the lacquer, but I could wipe my refinish right off, and it was done a few months before.

You can also try brake cleaner, sprayed on a rag.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

Lacquer thinner is less active than acetone and will absolutely not harm a poly finish. It will completely remove the lacquer (yes, even acrylic lacquer) without even dulling the poly finish.

Remember, acrylic lacquer has a water base, but when it is dry/cured it has no water component left...water will not touch it, only lacquer thinner or acetone.

There may be one thing to try first...try rubbing with a soft cloth and some polishing compound. This will smooth and polish any overspray. That may be all you need to do and you don't worry about ruining the finish

 

[Wattage]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

There may be one thing to try first...try rubbing with a soft cloth and some polishing compound. This will smooth and polish any overspray. That may be all you need to do and you don't worry about ruining the finish

I'd give this a shot first

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

Don't put nail polish remover or acetone anywhere near a guitar finish. You'll really regret doing that!

GuitarDoc's idea of lacquer thinner sounds about right. First, test a tiny area of your guitar's finish....somewhere like the inside lip of the electronic cavity.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

View attachment 46314

 

[Snoogles]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

weak:

View attachment 46314

win:

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

If the finish is polyester or polyurethane, and the clear coat that you sprayed is lacquer, then lacquer thinner will do the trick with no evidence left behind. As always, test it out first in a hidden spot just to be safe.

 

[CookSDR]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

nail polish remover and PVC primer are both acetone
the primer is mainly colored purple for plumbing inspectors
but if you can find the clear it should work as well

the finish on the RG is probably a polyester of some sort

the acetone will probably remove the lacquer but wont do the poly any good either
you will just end up with a bigger blemish

sand lightly, the entire top were the sticker/lacquer is
up almost to the binding gently dress the finish to the binding

I would remove the pickups and neck
but if you just remove the pickups/electronics you should be ok
if the strings come off then the bridge should come right off and you should be good


stain and respray the top
( rattle can will do, just use the correct finish
and mask off the unsanded parts to prevent overspray
incase you again have the wrong finish )

Good tip...wasn't aware if could screw up the finish!

 

[DonP]

Re: HELP - How to remove acrylic Clear coat / Lacquer

Pictures?