Guitar Refinish Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          6 days - 1 week

Sections

String
8 steps
Guitar Refinish
20 steps

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Introduction

A prerequisite skill for this guide is the ability to replace acoustic guitar strings. The reader should also be familiar with the basic anatomy of their guitar. For example, you should be able to identify the neck, body, and tuning pegs of a guitar.

This guide is for refinishing an acoustic guitar. Refinishing the body of an electric guitar would require further disassembly that is not covered in this guide.

Before tackling this fast fix, ensure you have a well ventilated space to paint your guitar and all the proper safety equipment—safety glasses, a mask, and gloves.

What you need

Step 1

              Loosen the tuning pegs

Turn the tuning pegs counter clock-wise to loosen all of the guitar strings and release the tension.

Turn the tuning pegs counter clock-wise to loosen all of the guitar strings and release the tension.

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Step 2

              Remove old guitar strings

Cutting a string under tension could cause injury. Ensure that all strings are loose before attempting the next step.
Once the strings are loose and have no tension, cut the strings with a handheld wire cutter.
Cut the knots near the tuning pegs and bridge as needed. Then, pull the strings to remove them.

Cutting a string under tension could cause injury. Ensure that all strings are loose before attempting the next step.

Once the strings are loose and have no tension, cut the strings with a handheld wire cutter.

Cut the knots near the tuning pegs and bridge as needed. Then, pull the strings to remove them.

Step 3

              Thread strings through the bridge

The first three strings (low E, A, and D), have thick and springy ends; the three thinnest strings (G, B, and high E), do not have thick or springy ends. You may use either set of strings.
Insert the thick end of the string into the top of the bridge and thread it through until about 3 to 4 inches of the string stick out of the bottom.
Wrap the short end of the string around the long end of the string, creating a loop.
Pass the short end of the string through the loop (2 or 3 times for thick strings, 3 or 4 times for thin strings). Make sure the final pass leaves the string underneath the bridge.
Pull both ends of the string until the knot is tight.

The first three strings (low E, A, and D), have thick and springy ends; the three thinnest strings (G, B, and high E), do not have thick or springy ends. You may use either set of strings.

Insert the thick end of the string into the top of the bridge and thread it through until about 3 to 4 inches of the string stick out of the bottom.

Wrap the short end of the string around the long end of the string, creating a loop.

Pass the short end of the string through the loop (2 or 3 times for thick strings, 3 or 4 times for thin strings). Make sure the final pass leaves the string underneath the bridge.

Pull both ends of the string until the knot is tight.

Step 4

              Knot the low E, G, and B strings

This knot will be used for only the low E, G, and B strings.
Insert the springy end of the string into the hole in the tuning peg.
Pull the springy end over the tuning peg and to the left side.
Bring the springy end to the right side by passing it under the string, creating a loop.
Push the springy end through the loop, and then pull both ends until the knot is tight. You may have to press the knot with your finger tighten it completely.

This knot will be used for only the low E, G, and B strings.

Insert the springy end of the string into the hole in the tuning peg.

Pull the springy end over the tuning peg and to the left side.

Bring the springy end to the right side by passing it under the string, creating a loop.

Push the springy end through the loop, and then pull both ends until the knot is tight. You may have to press the knot with your finger tighten it completely.

Step 5

              Knot the A, D, and high E strings

Repeat step 4 (outlined below) for only the strings A, D, and high E .
Insert the end of the string into the hole in the tuning peg.
Pull the end over the tuning peg to the right side.
Bring the end of the string to the left side by passing it under the string, creating a loop.
Push the end through the loop and then pull both ends until the knot is tight. You may have to press and hold the knot with your finger to tighten completely.

Repeat step 4 (outlined below) for only the strings A, D, and high E .

Insert the end of the string into the hole in the tuning peg.

Pull the end over the tuning peg to the right side.

Bring the end of the string to the left side by passing it under the string, creating a loop.

Push the end through the loop and then pull both ends until the knot is tight. You may have to press and hold the knot with your finger to tighten completely.

Step 6

              Tighten the new strings

Turn the tuning knob in a clock-wise motion to tighten the string until the string makes a clear sound when plucked.
As you tighten the string, be sure to hold the string with your free hand until the string stays tight on its own. This will keep the knot from loosening.
As the string winds around the tuning peg, make sure that the string passes over the loose end from the knot at least once. This will prevent “slipping” (detuning) during tuning and will help keep the knot tight.

Turn the tuning knob in a clock-wise motion to tighten the string until the string makes a clear sound when plucked.

As you tighten the string, be sure to hold the string with your free hand until the string stays tight on its own. This will keep the knot from loosening.

As the string winds around the tuning peg, make sure that the string passes over the loose end from the knot at least once. This will prevent “slipping” (detuning) during tuning and will help keep the knot tight.

Step 7

              Check your work before tuning

Before moving on, compare your work to the image provided. If the head of your guitar does not resemble the guitar in the image, go back to steps 3 and 4.
The E strings should be facing outwards (or “away from the body”) and the rest of the strings should be facing inwards (or “toward the body”).
Check that strings are properly set in the notches of the nut of the guitar. The “nut” is the white bar just below the head of the guitar.
You are ready to tune your guitar! Classical guitar strings may “slip” or detune. It may take 4 or more rounds of tuning before the new strings stop slipping.

Before moving on, compare your work to the image provided. If the head of your guitar does not resemble the guitar in the image, go back to steps 3 and 4.

The E strings should be facing outwards (or “away from the body”) and the rest of the strings should be facing inwards (or “toward the body”).

Check that strings are properly set in the notches of the nut of the guitar. The “nut” is the white bar just below the head of the guitar.

You are ready to tune your guitar! Classical guitar strings may “slip” or detune. It may take 4 or more rounds of tuning before the new strings stop slipping.

Step 8

              Clip the loose ends

Once you have tuned your guitar, remove the loose ends of the strings from the head and bridge of the guitar with your handheld wire cutter.
Do not completely remove the loose ends. Cutting the end too close to the tuning peg or the bridge may cause the string to slip out of position later. Leave at least a half inch piece in place.

Once you have tuned your guitar, remove the loose ends of the strings from the head and bridge of the guitar with your handheld wire cutter.

Do not completely remove the loose ends. Cutting the end too close to the tuning peg or the bridge may cause the string to slip out of position later. Leave at least a half inch piece in place.

Step 9

              Guitar Refinish

Unwind each of the guitar strings by hand or with a string winder.
Turn the pegs for the lower strings towards the body of the guitar.
Turn the pegs for the higher strings away from the body of the guitar.
The strings should have little to no tension after you’ve finished winding.

Unwind each of the guitar strings by hand or with a string winder.

Turn the pegs for the lower strings towards the body of the guitar.

Turn the pegs for the higher strings away from the body of the guitar.

The strings should have little to no tension after you’ve finished winding.

Step 10

Remove each of the pegs and strings from the bridge.

Remove each of the pegs and strings from the bridge.

Step 11

Remove the 38 mm phillips ovalhead screws from the neck of the guitar.

Remove the 38 mm phillips ovalhead screws from the neck of the guitar.

Step 12

Remove the neck of the guitar.
Be cautious when removing the neck; it can be fragile.

Remove the neck of the guitar.

Be cautious when removing the neck; it can be fragile.

Step 13

Clean the guitar of dust and oils with a rag.

Clean the guitar of dust and oils with a rag.

Step 14

Sand the guitar with a medium-rough grit sanding sponge.
Follow the grain of the wood while sanding.
This is a hard and time consuming process. Expect to spend at least a few hours on this step.
The surface of your guitar should lose any glossy shine after you finish sanding.
A sanding sponge will be especially effective on the curved areas of the guitar– like the back and sides of your instrument.
If you are starting from a light color and finishing to a dark color only a rough sanding is necessary.
If you are starting from a dark color and finishing to a light color a more complete sanding is necessary.
Use eye protection and a mask at all times while sanding.

Sand the guitar with a medium-rough grit sanding sponge.

Follow the grain of the wood while sanding.

This is a hard and time consuming process. Expect to spend at least a few hours on this step.

The surface of your guitar should lose any glossy shine after you finish sanding.

A sanding sponge will be especially effective on the curved areas of the guitar– like the back and sides of your instrument.

If you are starting from a light color and finishing to a dark color only a rough sanding is necessary.

If you are starting from a dark color and finishing to a light color a more complete sanding is necessary.

Use eye protection and a mask at all times while sanding.

Step 15

Smooth out dents and scratches with a fine grit sand paper.
Go over the damaged area with a light touch, and sand away until the surface feels evened out and flattened.
Do not use too much pressure when trying to sand away scratches. Sanding too hard causes the body of the guitar to warp and lowers your guitar’s sound quality.

Smooth out dents and scratches with a fine grit sand paper.

Go over the damaged area with a light touch, and sand away until the surface feels evened out and flattened.

Do not use too much pressure when trying to sand away scratches. Sanding too hard causes the body of the guitar to warp and lowers your guitar’s sound quality.

Step 16

Apply mineral spirits to the guitar and wipe with a rag.
The guitar will then need to dry for about 30 minutes.

Apply mineral spirits to the guitar and wipe with a rag.

The guitar will then need to dry for about 30 minutes.

Step 17

Cover the bridge with aluminum foil to protect from the paint.
Apply a light, even coat of white primer or a primer similar to the color you want to use to the guitar.
The guitar will then need to dry for at least 3 hours.
All painting should be done in a well ventilated area.
Wear a mask and use eye protection, especially if you are using spray paint.
Your workspace should be covered to prevent paint from splattering the surrounding area.

Cover the bridge with aluminum foil to protect from the paint.

Apply a light, even coat of white primer or a primer similar to the color you want to use to the guitar.

The guitar will then need to dry for at least 3 hours.

All painting should be done in a well ventilated area.

Wear a mask and use eye protection, especially if you are using spray paint.

Your workspace should be covered to prevent paint from splattering the surrounding area.

Step 18

Apply two light and even colored coats of paint to the guitar.
The guitar will then need to dry for about 24 hours.
Make sure you are painting in a well ventilated area.
Wear a mask and eye protection while painting.

Apply two light and even colored coats of paint to the guitar.

The guitar will then need to dry for about 24 hours.

Make sure you are painting in a well ventilated area.

Wear a mask and eye protection while painting.

Step 19

Sand the first few coats of paint with a fine grit sandpaper to even out the surface.
The guitar will be a chalky texture when the sanding is complete.
Wear eye protection and a mask while sanding.
Be careful to not scratch through the paint.

Sand the first few coats of paint with a fine grit sandpaper to even out the surface.

The guitar will be a chalky texture when the sanding is complete.

Wear eye protection and a mask while sanding.

Be careful to not scratch through the paint.

Step 20

Apply another few light color coats of paint.
The guitar will then need to dry for at least 48 hours.

Apply another few light color coats of paint.

The guitar will then need to dry for at least 48 hours.

Step 21

Apply a thin and even clear colored coat to the guitar.
Allow the clear coat to dry for at least 72 hours before moving to the next step.

Apply a thin and even clear colored coat to the guitar.

Allow the clear coat to dry for at least 72 hours before moving to the next step.

Step 22

Immerse fine grit sandpaper in water for 1 hour.
For the best results, prepare different kinds of sandpaper. 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and 2000 grit sandpaper should all be soaked.

Immerse fine grit sandpaper in water for 1 hour.

For the best results, prepare different kinds of sandpaper. 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and 2000 grit sandpaper should all be soaked.

Step 23

Sand the guitar using water-soaked sandpaper.
Start with 600 grit sandpaper, follow it with 800 grit, then 1000 grit, then 1200 grit and finally 2000 grit.
When you feel less resistance while sanding, it is time to move on to a higher grit sandpaper or finish sanding.
Do not press hard while wet sanding. Use a light touch to ensure your guitar is not scratched.

Sand the guitar using water-soaked sandpaper.

Start with 600 grit sandpaper, follow it with 800 grit, then 1000 grit, then 1200 grit and finally 2000 grit.

When you feel less resistance while sanding, it is time to move on to a higher grit sandpaper or finish sanding.

Do not press hard while wet sanding. Use a light touch to ensure your guitar is not scratched.

Step 24

Apply polish to the guitar using a polishing cloth.

Apply polish to the guitar using a polishing cloth.

Step 25

Insert the guitar neck back into the guitar’s body.

Insert the guitar neck back into the guitar’s body.

Step 26

Screw the guitar’s neck back on using 38 mm phillips ovalhead screws.

Screw the guitar’s neck back on using 38 mm phillips ovalhead screws.

Step 27

Insert each of the strings back into the bridge.

Insert each of the strings back into the bridge.

Step 28

Wind the strings through the pegs.
Turn the pegs for the lower strings of the guitar away from guitar’s body.
Turn the pegs for the higher strings towards the body of the guitar.
The strings should have enough tension to stay in place.

Wind the strings through the pegs.

Turn the pegs for the lower strings of the guitar away from guitar’s body.

Turn the pegs for the higher strings towards the body of the guitar.

The strings should have enough tension to stay in place.

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                    Joe Jolley

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                       University of North Texas, Team 1-13, Smith Spring 2022                        

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