How to Repaint a Guitar
Remove the guitar's strings., Remove the guitar's neck., Remove all of the guitar hardware., Pull out the bridge studs., Set all of the fasteners and hardware aside and label them.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Remove the guitar's strings.
You can clip the strings away using your usual pair of string clippers.
Unfortunately, there is no way to repaint a guitar with its strings on, so note that you will likely need to readjust your truss rod once you reassemble the guitar. -
Step 2: Remove the guitar's neck.
Bolt-on guitar necks are fairly easy to remove
- simply unscrew the bolts at the back of the neck joint and wiggle the neck free.
Glued necks cannot be removed, but most glued necks are painted to match the guitar body anyway, so you'll want to leave it on so that you can repaint it. , The output jack, pickups, bridge, knobs, strap buttons, and pickguard can usually be removed using a screwdriver or Allen wrench.
On some models, the output jack and knobs will be wired to the pickups through holes between each cavity, and so you'll need to snip the wires to remove each piece.
Make sure to record how they where wired so that you can put it back together correctly. , Some guitars may not have these, and the bridge can simply be unscrewed from the body.
Removing bridge studs can be difficult because they're pounded into the wood.
You can use a soldering iron to heat them up so they expand, and then when they cool down they will contract and be easier to remove.
You can use pliers to pull them out, but this can scar the finish and ruin their appearance. , The refinishing process can take a few weeks to a few months, so make sure each screw or bolt is labeled.
This will prevent confusion when you try to reassemble the guitar. -
Step 3: Remove all of the guitar hardware.
-
Step 4: Pull out the bridge studs.
-
Step 5: Set all of the fasteners and hardware aside and label them.
Detailed Guide
You can clip the strings away using your usual pair of string clippers.
Unfortunately, there is no way to repaint a guitar with its strings on, so note that you will likely need to readjust your truss rod once you reassemble the guitar.
Bolt-on guitar necks are fairly easy to remove
- simply unscrew the bolts at the back of the neck joint and wiggle the neck free.
Glued necks cannot be removed, but most glued necks are painted to match the guitar body anyway, so you'll want to leave it on so that you can repaint it. , The output jack, pickups, bridge, knobs, strap buttons, and pickguard can usually be removed using a screwdriver or Allen wrench.
On some models, the output jack and knobs will be wired to the pickups through holes between each cavity, and so you'll need to snip the wires to remove each piece.
Make sure to record how they where wired so that you can put it back together correctly. , Some guitars may not have these, and the bridge can simply be unscrewed from the body.
Removing bridge studs can be difficult because they're pounded into the wood.
You can use a soldering iron to heat them up so they expand, and then when they cool down they will contract and be easier to remove.
You can use pliers to pull them out, but this can scar the finish and ruin their appearance. , The refinishing process can take a few weeks to a few months, so make sure each screw or bolt is labeled.
This will prevent confusion when you try to reassemble the guitar.
About the Author
Alexis Rivera
With a background in lifestyle and practical guides, Alexis Rivera brings 1 years of hands-on experience to every article. Alexis believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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