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Spectrum LX finish

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Spectrum LX finish Empty Spectrum LX finish

Post by JoeWalsh Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:29 am

So I got a beat-up Spectrum LX for $50. I'm going to refinish it, and I'm not sure what to do with it. I already have two dark burst (tobacco & sunburst) guitars, and a cherry SG. What creative (but not incredibly intensive) stuff can I do with either white, black, or another color (or mix)?


Last edited by JoeWalsh on Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:26 am; edited 2 times in total
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Post by Barry Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:11 pm

Hey Joe.
Well first of all congrats on grabbing this for $50!
Pix would be helpful in assessing the extent of the current finish, but be warned that if you are contemplating removal of the original finish you will be into a world o' pain! It's catalyzed polyester, it's thick, and tougher than an overdone steak.

Without seeing it, my general recommendation would be to drop fill the dings, sand and polish it with finishing compond. Or, scuff it up and repaint in the same or similar colour (easiest path). If you're the daring sort with enough time, stripping the finish chemically then sanding to bare wood can be done (not so easy). The good news is that many of these guitars reveal a wood grain that is actually quite good quality, so you might be able to entertain thoughts of an oil finish or transparent stain of some sort. I did this with a Vantage Avenger and it worked out very nicely.

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Post by JoeWalsh Thu Aug 18, 2011 3:54 pm

That's not all bad news. I picked it as a senior project and was worried about it filling up enough time (was trying to find mods to fill more time). I plan to chemically strip it, and was considering a stain if the grain is nice.
From the non-project standpoint, it definitely could do without a full refinish, but I'm going to do it. I couldn't find another guitar (in more or less need of refinishing) for less (I got this from a friend). The neck is actually far worse off, but I'm going to send it to a professional nearby.

Thanks for the info.


Last edited by JoeWalsh on Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:39 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Post by colt933 Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:02 pm

Black and white - how about the original Van Halen guitar from the first album cover?
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Post by Westbone Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:06 pm

Green + red, lovely! + yellow
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Post by JoeWalsh Thu Aug 18, 2011 4:11 pm

colt933 wrote:Black and white - how about the original Van Halen guitar from the first album cover?
Naw...I'd prefer something smoother.

Westbone wrote:Green + red, lovely! + yellow
Green and red? I'd only be able to play it around Christmas... Razz
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Post by Westbone Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:21 pm

With the paint on these things you'll still be stripping /sanding at Christmas, Laughing

If your thinking of chemicaly stripping it I wouldn't have it dipped. It will eat at the glue of the joined pieces and f up the timber.
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Post by JoeWalsh Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:46 pm

I was going to do it as described here.
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Post by JoeWalsh Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:29 pm

Change of plans - I switched my senior project to another topic (thought it was safer as far as grade). I'll just be repairing the finish now.

This should probably go in the technical section now.

Sorry for the sucky quality, but here it is. How should I go about fixing these? I'm slightly worried about the far left chip, which borders the burst (even more so than apparent in the photo).

Spectrum LX finish Dsc02638a

Spectrum LX finish Dsc02634g
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Post by hoax Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:55 am


You use a technique called "drop filling" which involves touching in with matching paint and using "superglue" to build up to match the lacquer finish.

The web is littered with examples and instructions.

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