My new Fireglo - 4001V63 refinish
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 2:34 pm
Seems restoration threads are the popular thing now, so here is mine. Not really a restoration though, just a re-finish. A long and winding road it has been, but I finally got the Fireglo sprayed and can see the end of it. My "project" started some 18 month ago when I realized there was a bump in the fret board on my 4001V63 (http://www.rickresource.com/register/vi ... 6lefty%3D1). It needed quite a bit of bow in the neck to avoid buzzing. Due to this a previous owner had grinded the bottom of the bridge to get the bridge low enough for proper action.
I figured it would cost too much shipping the bass back and forth from Europe to the US to get it fixed by a Rickenbacker pro, so I set out to do it myself. The sum total (not including all the time spent) has of course grown to a level where I could probably have bought a new bass (if a lefty Fireglo 4001V63 could be found). But I’m a DIY kind of guy, so . . .
Levelling the board and re-fretting was a fast and straight forward job. Refinishing the board was a greater challenge, but eventually got it right last autumn only to discover the new finish didn't stick to the original finish. At that point I was looking for a new Fireglo 4001V63. Couldn’t find one of course, so the next step was to continue with a complete refinish.
I have to thank Paul W. for all the info and knowledge he has contributed in different threads across the forum over the years, without which I would never been able to go through with this. Also want thank Larry Davis who was kind enough to answer my emails last December, when I was struggling trying to get the right colour mix for the fireglo.
One of my first attempts spraying a fireglo last winter:
Lots of spraying and colour mixing later I was finally ready for the real thing.
First the clear sealing coat, and then sanded down ready for colour:
My first go at spraying the real fireglo failed when got too impatient, sprayed too heavy and got a nasty run, and had to sand it down again for a fresh restart.
Finally got it right – Fireglo spray as three layers of different colour mixes, with one coat of clear on top:
I'm very pleased with the result, although a few details that didn't turn out the way I envisioned.
Puh, what a major relief it is to finally having in sight a satisfying end to my "project". Now I'll let it rest for a week or two before sanding the clear coat, getting it ready for an amber coat and few clear coats. After which it will be polished and rubbed. I'll be making a new nut and new pickguard before putting it back to playable condition.
I figured it would cost too much shipping the bass back and forth from Europe to the US to get it fixed by a Rickenbacker pro, so I set out to do it myself. The sum total (not including all the time spent) has of course grown to a level where I could probably have bought a new bass (if a lefty Fireglo 4001V63 could be found). But I’m a DIY kind of guy, so . . .
Levelling the board and re-fretting was a fast and straight forward job. Refinishing the board was a greater challenge, but eventually got it right last autumn only to discover the new finish didn't stick to the original finish. At that point I was looking for a new Fireglo 4001V63. Couldn’t find one of course, so the next step was to continue with a complete refinish.
I have to thank Paul W. for all the info and knowledge he has contributed in different threads across the forum over the years, without which I would never been able to go through with this. Also want thank Larry Davis who was kind enough to answer my emails last December, when I was struggling trying to get the right colour mix for the fireglo.
One of my first attempts spraying a fireglo last winter:
Lots of spraying and colour mixing later I was finally ready for the real thing.
First the clear sealing coat, and then sanded down ready for colour:
My first go at spraying the real fireglo failed when got too impatient, sprayed too heavy and got a nasty run, and had to sand it down again for a fresh restart.
Finally got it right – Fireglo spray as three layers of different colour mixes, with one coat of clear on top:
I'm very pleased with the result, although a few details that didn't turn out the way I envisioned.
Puh, what a major relief it is to finally having in sight a satisfying end to my "project". Now I'll let it rest for a week or two before sanding the clear coat, getting it ready for an amber coat and few clear coats. After which it will be polished and rubbed. I'll be making a new nut and new pickguard before putting it back to playable condition.
