Blackstar Paint Flaking Off

sandyb · Post by **sandyb** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 12:35 pm

I just picked up a Blackstar (D2-8835)#96 of 200,and the the paint is flaking off all over the instrument. After you hold it paint chips come off in your hand. Can this be refinished without decreasing the value or does this have any special value at all being only 200 were made?

Was there any finish problems anyopne knows of?
I'd like to have it done in a Fireglow if possible. Also, is this a 4003 or 4001 or neither. If this can be refinished I'd appreceiate a few tips.

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 4:36 am

Sandy: I have not heard of any other Blackstars that have had this problem. Having said this, your bass is 14 years old and "time wounds all heels". Kidding aside, I am wondering if the instrument has been refinished at some point. This is a 4003 Blackstar. Would you be able to send in some photos. I would be inclined to keep it as a Blackstar seeing as there were only 200 made.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 5:34 am

The only way an instrument will shed paint in slabs or sheets is if it has been frozen solid at some point. Essentially the instrument was made to shrink and the paint didn't. Years ago I saw a sample block with experimental clear coat on it come out of 24 hours in our test freezer and the entire surface slid off in one piece!

On the other hand, the current spec calls for sucessfully surviving 6 cycles of freezing and then being immediately heated to 130 degress with a heat lamp, alternating 12 hours freezing, 12 hours heating. Our materials supplier does the same cycle but doubles it to 12 times, just to be sure it meets our criterion. Nevertheless, there's too many other possibilities involving embedded moisture so transport and store your guitar properly.

sandyb · Post by **sandyb** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 6:42 pm

Peter, I'll see if I can get some pics to you this week or next.

It doesn't seem to be refinished only because the natural wood is visible. A good portion of the back of the neck at the first few frets shows what appears to be a satin-like finish which I'm assuming is the sanding-sealer, which would lead me to believe it was an adhesion problem. All edges are a consistent radius so nobody butchered it with a sander. On the chrome bridge pick-up mount, some of the coating is missing and the metal is rusted and the cover is chrome. The bridge also has imperfections and dust particles in the finish so you may be correct. Other places where there were chips, I measured the thickness of the finish @ .012”, Is that normal?

This thing obviously went through something other than normal wear and tear but I would still like to refinish it. My main concerns would be to refinish it to Rickenbacker specs if this is possible.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 5:47 am

I would second Peter's advice to keep this as a Blackstar, and its principle collector's value is in the color. I had an Ibanez that lost the entire top in sheets after the finish integrity was compromised, which in that case was definitely a problem with an inferior finish. It's quite possible your instrument has seen some extreme climate changes both in temperature and humidity, but from John's description it sounds like Ric specs their paint to be able to withstand touring, even in Canada!

sandyb · Post by **sandyb** » Sun May 04, 2003 7:48 am

I’m still not clear if it’s o.k. to refinish this instrument. Keeping it a Blackstar does make more sense. I read an old post I think Mark wrote, and Peter posted which went through the procedure very well, so that’s a start. Any special brand of lacquer preferable. (still working on the pictures)