Gibson Flying V - Need to remove some paint?

[DorsetRatt]

Hey Guys, hope you can help with this one?

I've got a flying v that the previous owner has completely covered in thick black nitro paint, I think the original finish would have been natural (or cherry perhaps). I'd really like to identify the guitar from the serial number, but because of the thick paint there's just no chance of making out the serial number on the back of the headstock.

I've done some research from the website below. The flying v has the raised fretboard (and slimmer body) and a volute to add some strength to the top of the neck and headstock. From the headstock pictures on the website I'm reasonably confident it's from 1980/1981 ... but I'd really like to be sure.

http://www.flying-v.ch/

I'd like to be able to remove just a small rectangle of paint from where the serial number is likely to be, but I'm not sure of the best way to do this ... sandpaper vs chemicals vs any other ideas?

Sandpaper would be ok if the underlying serial number was stamped, but I don't think it is ... I have a hunch that the serial number maybe etched on instead. Did Gibson use etched serial numbers back in those days?

If it is an etched serial number I think it would be safer to use some sort of chemical paint stripper, but would that also remove the serial number as well?

[Kim]

A chemical stripper will remove the paint and leave the wood (and serial stamping) intact unless that chemical is strong enough to disolve wood.  Don't think you would be able to purchase something that strong without some kind of permit.  Lol.    If you attempt to sand it, I believe you'd run a much greater risk of damaging the serial stamping.

[rnolan]

Hey DR, I'd email Gibson and ask them. From my limited foray in LPs lately, seems the serial number doesn't survive a refinish (as with Jimmy Pages No1, the serial disappeared when it was refinished before Joe Walsh sold it to Jimmy). So very painstaking sanding may be the best option, maybe with 600 or finer wet and dry paper.

[DorsetRatt]

Thanks Kim + Richard, much appreciated

I've had a go at removing the paint this afternoon. I used some nail varnish remover, cotton pads and a small scraper ... and before you ask ... I borrowed the nail varnish remover :D

The black paint was really really thick, but I got there eventually. To my surprise the serial number was indeed stamped (and not etched). To be honest, I'd been a little concerned that the previous owner may have sanded out the serial number prior to applying the black paint, but luckily this was not the case.

I'm pleased (and proud) to report that my flying v was made (stamped) in April 1981 :)

[MarshallJMP]

Nicely done,wow i would not even think about doing this.

[Dante]

 

[DorsetRatt]

lol

Nice one Dante, very subtle ... I'll take some pics

[rnolan]

 :whoohoo!: 1981, that's 4 years before my Anderson was built. So glad it worked  :wave:   and I'm sure there are others out there that this will help  .
So what's the difference with stamped and etched ? (pardon my ignorance..)

[MarshallJMP]

Never saw anserial number etched into a gibson.I tought they always stamp it??

[rnolan]

So just trying to get my head around it, etched means it's engraved into the wood ? stamped just some die on one of the finish layers ??

[Dante]

lol

Nice one Dante, very subtle ... I'll take some pics

Subtle, I am not :)

[DorsetRatt]

When I say etched ... it was just me having a complete guess, sorry I didn't intend to mislead. I was thinking of chemical etching or acid etching i.e. identification/security numbers on car windows, or metal parts, etc. I've no idea whether these processes have been used for guitar serial numbers.

Thinking about it ... to use an etch process on wood I guess you would use chemicals to burn (dissolve) the wood through a template or stencil to leave a 3 dimensional indentation (serial number)? Perhaps it has been used for guitars?

[rnolan]

I was thinking about your solution last night and I remembered having a bottle of scented oil that you put in those tea candle oil burners sitting on a side table. The little bit of oil that spilled out (ran down the bottle sides) took the finish of this table over time, so that would probably work as well.

[rabidgerry]

holy shit how did you do this?  I want to know the secret way's Dante!

I second this motion!  Pics please!  :wave:

[DorsetRatt]