Help! Someone Painted my JEM Pickups!

[For_The_Love_Of_Jems]

I have very early jem77RB that came with an original set of Pink PAF Pro's. However, the knucklehead before me painted them BLACK!!!

Does anyone have any experience removing paint from pickups?

I would rather leave them as-is then destroy them, so proven cleanup techniques only please!!!

Thanks in advance.....

[Jemplyr77]

Mineral spirits or Naptha solvent if it is oil based, or just replace them.

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by Jemplyr77

Mineral spirits or Naptha solvent if it is oil based, or just replace them.

I would try to get the paint off first. More than likely, the coils on the pickups will have begin to "leak" as they say, which is one of the reasons older guitars sometimes sound better.

Plus, you're not out of a needless $120.

[reguv760]

how was it painted? if it's a plain black marker/sharpie, rubbing alcohol + elbow grease. If it's some sort of spray paint, maybe a can of graffiti remover could do the trick?

Reg

[jb4674]

Depending upon the kind of paint, you could always try dipping a qtip on paint thinner to get the paint off. With any method, make sure to cover the body of the guitar so nothing accidentally hits the finish. Post pictures of the operation.

Jimmy

[Distantshore]

I've used Acetone with success to remove paint from a plastic pickguard. I would test the single coil cover first, since that is the easiest to replace if damaged.

[Fender868]

Check this auction from 3 bay. 120213663210

The owner said his pick-ups were painted black. Don't know what his method was, but it seems to have worked fine.

[Canadian Mark]

Originally Posted by Distantshore

I've used Acetone with success to remove paint from a plastic pickguard. I would test the single coil cover first, since that is the easiest to replace if damaged.

I think that's some pretty good advice. I would imagine that some harsher solvents might soften or damage the plastic components if you're not careful.

Just keep in mind the organic chemistry addage 'Like dissolves like'. If the paint is water based, use water. If it is permanent, it is a non-polar compound that will probably require and organic solvent or mineral spirits.

I would personally start with water first (it is the least likely to damage and you may get lucky and the paint will be water based).

[JJEMMER777]

If you want them pink you'll probably just have to repaint them pink. I doub't you'll be able to get the black paint off (especially with "said" chemicals) and still have it look half decent

[rickcard71]

Just order new pink pups, but they won't say DiMarzio on them.

[shotgunlew]

Maybe goo gone.... Ive had sucess with goo-gone removing some paint drips on my tile floor...hope this helps.

[LuredMaul]

I have used Mineral Spirits and other than it melting the glue on the ribbon wrapping your coils it's perfectly fine for the bobbin tops .wipe it on scrub of the paint and rinse it off with a rags and windex.

[jono]

My vote is for new pickups, as Waylay said it's $120 (it'd be twice that over here in the UK ) And for that you can tailor the sound and look of the guitar to your liking. If you want the original look, order some pink pickups, if you want to try something else, like cream/black zebra coils, now's your chance.

It'll be much easier to clean the original pickups once they're removed from the guitar anyway

[For_The_Love_Of_Jems]

Wow!!! Thanks for all the suggestions. I will be trying some out over the weekend, and will let you know the results.

I am going to try and clean these up. I really like the tone from the older 87 PAF Pro's. But, I will buy new ones if all else fails.

[syxxstring]

I would start as mild as possible with solvents and work my way to the harsher stuff.
Start with rubbing alcohol and work your way to lacquer thinner. See if maybe gently heating the pups with a hair dryer on low will allow you to scrape it off.

What kind of plastic does Dimarzio use? Is it a nylon that is dyeable or is it a solvent resistant type?