Opinions please

[slapbass]

I know that the Epic I am refinishing came with a polyurethane finish. But I don't want to buy another paint gun to shoot one bass.
 
I can spray nitro-cellulose lacquer or do a hand rubbed oil finish.
 
Let me know what everyone thinks.
 
Dale

[because]

I think avoiding the satin polyurethane is the smartest thing you can do.  My Epic 4 had a problem with the poly lifting due to an unknown-to-me problem.  Alembic was VERY cool about fixing it for me.  BUT - it was the same satin finish.  I say WAS because any place that the bass touches my body is now buffed to a high gloss.  Overall, the bass looks like crap because it has the appearance of a gloss finish that was beat to hell and is very dull in spots.  I don't know why they use that finish.  It's terrible.
 
If I were you, I would talk to a local guitar builder.  You can probably get it shot for alot less than you think.  Those guys are all set up for it.  They have all the equipment and chemicals on hand already.  Especially if you have it prepped and ready for finish.  
 
If you need referrals, My buddy has several top notch luthiers he can recommend to you.  Ring back and I'll get you names & numbers.  Or if you can do the laquer yourself, that might be nice.   It might also crack, which wouldn't be cool.  Depends on how you use the bass, I guess.
 
I say screw the hand rubbed finish.  Too much like maintenance.  I had a Warwick Corvette that allowed me the pleasure of finish maintenance.  Never again!!!

[slapbass]

Well Because, I am one of the local builders. I am already set up to do both types of finish. If you use the correct type of nitro-cellulose lacquer there is usually no problems with cracking.
 
I appreciate the offer to look up other builders though.
 
Thanks,
Dale

[because]

Oh.  I feel stupid.  I underestimated your capabilities, I guess.  My apologies.  
 
Since you have the skills and tools to do a nice laquer job that will last, my opinion is to go that way with it.  The plastic paint sucks IMHO for the reasons listed above.  The laquer will look 1000% better me thinks.  Especailly after a couple years of use.  If you get it right with yours, maybe do mine??

[mica]

If you sand off all the original paint, you can use any paint you like on the bass. You can also do oil too, that will look the most like the original finish if you liked its apperance and don't mind the care - I know some people that do enjoy that part, to each his own!
 
We no longer offer the satin natural finish that was originally supplied on Epics, the Orions, then Rogues then Excels. All basses and guitars now use our polyester finish, which is also plastic. This is the same finish that is on your Stanley Clarke bass, slapbass. Your Series I is either oil or a different polyurethane.  
 
With the EPA and CA-EPA, it's not practical to shoot nitro in California as a business, so I don't have any experience with this. But I am curious slapbass - is it not possible clean the gun out before and after shooting a different coating?  
 
Please take some before and after pictures of the project - I'm sure we'd all love to see the results of your efforts. If you send a picture to us with the serial number, we'll add it to the instrument's file.

[slapbass]

Mica,  The reason I started this project is the abuse this bass has taken before I purchased it week before last. Most of the original finish was literally beat off of this fine instrument.
 
After shooting so much lacquer through my gun I just don't like to take chances of not getting it clear enough to shoot a water based finish and the solvents of the laser attacking them later and screwing up a finish on a beautiful piece of wood.
 
Yes my Stanley Clark is polyester and the Series 1 is a oil finish. I do not mind waxing it a couple of times a year. Rubbing down a work of art is a great feeling.
 
I will be glad to send in some pictures.  
 
Thanks,
Dale