Help with a 1965 Mustang.

[broomhandle]

Hello All...

I feel my chipping away the red is not going well. Any other thoughts? ....... And there are digs in the original paint. Or I am doing the dings. But do not think so...

ugh.

[MattK]

Because they didn’t use clearcoat on Mustangs you will be able to buff the blue to a more even colour. If you think you’re chipping it, have a look at the chips coming off, if they are blue underneath then there’s damage happening.
Are you using something to lubricate the surface like water or naphtha?

[broomhandle]

I am looking at the chips. They are tiny. And I do not see any blue. And no. I am not. Would Naphtha damage the blue at all? I am still under the pick guard. But I feel going out further, the paint is thinker and more stuck on.

[Pacafeliz]

...just a thought:
Might it work to deepfreeze the finish with the upside-down compressed air spraycan maybe help crackle it?

I might be into the same situation, too, soon...

[broomhandle]

...just a thought:
Might it work to deepfreeze the finish with the upside-down compressed air spraycan maybe help crackle it?

I might be into the same situation, too, soon...

good idea, I can try that in another spot under the pick guard.

[broomhandle]

Somebody else mentioned heat. I do have a heat gun. I have done this before on a Squire to strip all paint. But I only want the red off.

[MattK]

Would Naphtha damage the blue at all? I am still under the pick guard.

It shouldn’t, but while you’re under the pickguard you could leave a drop sitting on a hidden part of the finish for a few minutes and wipe it off with a tissue to see if any blue came off with it. Might help separate the layers a little.

[itsmemw]

Didn't see anyone mention this but, those cracks in the body are odd. Almost like there was some filler (bondo?) used there before the refinish. Have you pulled the vibrato off yet?

[broomhandle]

Didn't see anyone mention this but, those cracks in the body are odd. Almost like there was some filler (bondo?) used there before the refinish. Have you pulled the vibrato off yet?

The cracks are the top of the red finish. It happened after a guitar tech sighted the screws down pretty tight, next day.. cracks. The red should come off, or worst case. A re-paint/refin by a pro. Not me..