Removing paint from a guitar flight case...

Jalfrezi

I have an old guitar flight case, it's covered in some form of Tolex, and has the band name "The Bible" painted on it.  I'd like to try and remove the paint, but any ideas what might work without wrecking the Tolex?

Funkfingers

Have you considered "disguising" the existing graffito by adding to it?

Fun/provocative stencilling options include;

• Ignore
• Burn
• I wouldn't wipe my arse on

It is inevitable that, the moment you dissolve away the paint, there will be a revival in the fortunes of Hewerdine and his former band. Overnight, the case would suddenly be worth a fortune ... if only somebody had not cleaned it.

Jalfrezi

  

Stickers of some sort are my (probably inevitable) plan B.

Moonrunner

I don't know if fine grit sand paper would work on this? Maybe wire wool? Not sure how that would affect the tolex. Maybe try surgical spirit which is called something else in the US and I forget - isopropyl alcohol? 

Failing that - maybe spray a pentagram over the text!  

roberty

Funkfingers said:

Have you considered "disguising" the existing graffito by adding to it?

Fun/provocative stencilling options include;

• Ignore
• Burn
• I wouldn't wipe my arse on

It is inevitable that, the moment you dissolve away the paint, there will be a revival in the fortunes of Hewerdine and his former band. Overnight, the case would suddenly be worth a fortune ... if only somebody had not cleaned it.

Koa

Boo Hewerdine might buy it back out of nostalgia or perhaps there’s some value for a fan?

MLten80

black fabric paint?  plasticote rattle can?
 might work

have u tried a dab of thinners? I doubt that would eat thru tolex instantly 

Jalfrezi

MLten80 said:

black fabric paint?  plasticote rattle can?
 might work

have u tried a dab of thinners? I doubt that would eat thru tolex instantly 

Good idea to over paint it, I hadn't considered that, thanks.

I haven't tried thinners, as I'm nervous about making it a bigger problem.

pintspiller

I would probably just paint a white block over each word.

Or cover in sticky-backed plastic. Or Gorilla Tape/Gaffa.

I got carpeted subs with BPM in yellow spray paint on the carpet. It looks like we're a gay rock band.

Funkfingers

roberty said:

Reminds me of some hard hat graffiti seen on an oil refinery turnaround.

Whilst a welder was busy, wearing his screen, a colleague used permanent marker to scrawl, "I love cock" on the welder's hard hat. Upon discovery, this was immediately converted to, "I love cooking".

ICBM

Don't do that, The Bible - assuming it is actually them, and not some other impostors - are quite a cult band. If you don't like it you would be much better to sell the case to a fan and buy a new one - you'll probably come out ahead.

http://www.thebibletheband.com

thermionic

I agree, a known band is at least a talking point, if not a financial bonus (albeit a small one at best).

I acquired a case with a badly done unknown teenage band name on it and tried to take it off with solvent. It was unsuccessful, only managing to smear the entire case in a cloudy white smudge, and possibly damaging the plastic (it was ABS, not tolex.)

paulnb57

How about this? I suppose Tolex is a Plastic ish fabric covering, this might disolve the paint without damaging the Tolex?

https://www.emodels.co.uk/modelstrip-plastic-model-paint-stripper-modstr01.html

I used some to restore an old clear, back painted car badge and it worked a treat..

If you are going to do it, its gotta be worth a try for £6, from modelshops that sell Airfix type kits....

Funkfingers

ICBM said:

Don't do that, The Bible - assuming it is actually them, and not some other impostors - are quite a cult band. If you don't like it you would be much better to sell the case to a fan and buy a new one - you'll probably come out ahead.

http://www.thebibletheband.com

Might be worth trying to contact the band or its representatives. If possible, obtain confirmation that the case was once their property.

thermionic

Sell it to Essex Recording Studios.

merlin

Black gaffer tape is your answer. 

Jalfrezi

ICBM said:

Don't do that, The Bible - assuming it is actually them, and not some other impostors - are quite a cult band. If you don't like it you would be much better to sell the case to a fan and buy a new one - you'll probably come out ahead.

http://www.thebibletheband.com

I went with your advice, it's now for sale in the Parts forum