ES 345 refinish

JCP · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:38 am Post subject: ES 345 refinish

Hello all,

I'm looking at a '68 ES 345 that had a poor refinish job several years ago.

The original color was natural, but they painted it white, and painted right over the bindings, etc. It would either have to be completely stripped, or refinished with poly, as the old refin doesn't appear to be nitro.

Can someone tell me, in general terms, what would be involved in a decent refinish (solid paint color, it's not original anymore, so what the heck. Pelham Blue?).

Can the body binding be salvaged by stripping the paint off, or should all new binding be installed?

The guitar has not had a neck break (they did not paint the back of the neck) and seems structurally sound with original electronics, etc.

The price is right (maybe), but an ES is probably more challenging than a solid body for a first timer-refin, so, would anyone be able to approximate the cost of having a pro do it? I would be more than willing to strip the guitar of the electronix and hard parts myself.

A '68 345 seems well worth bringing back from the dead, just wondering if doing so is going to break the bank...

Any advice is appreciated.

herb · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

How much elbow grease ya got? Wink

To do it safely, you just hand rub it out with some fine steel wool, binding and all. But it will take many days and lots of elbow movement. Take the electrics out first so you don't get any of the dust into it. Finish stripping chemicals may damage the binding or the glue holding the binding in place, so I don't think that would be a good idea. Take your time and do it the hard way; and you'll have a guitar that will be worth some money. I'd do some checking on the "original" color. I don't remember "Natural" being offered on a 345 during that era. My money's on Cherry Red or Sunburst when it was built. I'd also go back with it original color. It would be worth more that way, even though it isn't totally original.

daveh · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 3:07 am Post subject:

You could use one of the 'safety' strippers, which are less caustic than the pro-quality MEK-based strippers. They won't harm the glues, but you will most likely lose the original lacquer coating. It will take a few applications, but you will be able to get it done this year.