Removing spray paint from finish?

jdbwales

Recently picked up a lovely Squier CV Telecaster that when I received it, I discovered a previous owner had sprayed a lighter white coat of paint over the original poly finish. Seemed like something you should mention, but ok. 

 It’s not a terrible job, but it’s not clear coated and marks easily. I’d prefer to get back to the original paint underneath (it hasn’t been stripped). What would be the best way to do this - acetone or similar (as it shouldn’t touch the original poly coats underneath) and then polish it up, or is there a better way?

Thanks!  

Bridgehouse

Is it a nitro spray?

jdbwales

No, seems acrylic!

Corvus

Acetone is fierce even for 'poly' but cellulose thinners will wipe off acylic or nitro(celly). Test a small area first. If it's polyurethane it will attack that but I think these are two-pack/urethane which won't care about celly thinners. Do test though.

Need a mask/outdoors/gloves. Its a right messy smelly job. Found it best to lay on kitchen towel wet with thinners for a few secs, then wipe away that area, keep going like that. At the end go over it small areas at a time with just slightly thinners-damped towels, just rub away any last smeary bits.

Corvus

Acetone is fierce even for 'poly' but cellulose thinners will wipe off acylic or nitro(celly). If it's polyurethane it will attack that but I think these are two-pack/urethane which won't budge for celly thinners. Do test a small bit first though.

Need a mask/outdoors/gloves. Its a right messy smelly job. If it's thickish coated found it best to lay on kitchen towel wet with thinners for a few secs, then wipe away that area, keep going like that. If it's just a thin squirt it might come off easily enough with wiping with wet towels.
At the end go over it small areas at a time with just slightly thinners-damped towels, just rub away any last smeary bits.

Corvus

Acetone is fierce even for 'poly' but cellulose thinners will wipe off acylic or nitro(celly). If it's polyurethane it will attack that but I think these are two-pack/urethane which won't budge for celly thinners. Do test a small bit first though.

Need a mask/outdoors/gloves. Its a right messy smelly job. If it's thickish coated found it best to lay on kitchen towel wet with thinners for a few secs, then wipe away that area, keep going like that. If it's just a thin squirt it might come off easily enough with wiping with wet towels.
At the end go over it small areas at a time with just slightly thinners-damped towels, just rub away any last smeary bits.

jdbwales

Lovely stuff - sounds like a Christmas project! Thank you, glad I checked before using acetone...

Corvus

No worries, and good luck!