What is needed to completely redo a guitar body?

[horax]

I want to make my own guitar. The thing I'm most curious about is the painting, stripping, etc, of the guitar body.

Does anybody have any instructions on how to do this, including exactly what tools I'll need, etc?

[TwoMartinMan]

I just completed a refinish of a Squier SE from black to Olympic White. The job takes a few simple tools, elbow grease, time and patience.
I used 60 grit sand paper in a finishing sander to take the body down to the bare wood. I also used a round drum sander in my power drill to get into the hard to reach horn areas. Then sanding sealer to give the surface a smooth base. Then a couple coats of primer. Then about 8-10 coats of color, light sanding between coats with 400-600 wet paper. Then about 6 coats of clear gloss, wet sanding between coats with 600-800. Then a final coat of gloss. Let cure for a week then wet sand with 1000, 1200, 1500, and 2000. Then rubbing compound, then polishing compound to bring out the shine. All coatings were spray can acrylic lacquers by Duplicolor. The finished product looks like this.

[motoman45]

and this....

[horax]

Nice! That's beautiful work.

[Strat-toter]

great job!

[ghostwolf]

time and patience come in handy, too.