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Hey guys... I'm putting together a les paul style guitar (sapele, set neck (also sapele) with ebony fretboard, originally made the neck a little thick... I've carved it down to a reasonable level now and am wondering if there's any tips for repainting and leaving the side dots still unpainted (or is that un-half-painted) as my paint line will run through the center of them...

Is it just easiest to rip/drill em out and put new ones in? OR can I put something on them to stop the paint sticking? AS they are fairly small I was thinking tape will be a PITA.... OR should I just wipe with a cotton bud with some thinners while still wet (Also thinking as PITA to apply)
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!

Masking tape

Ixnay on the thinner,as that will cauer adherance problems in general....

if the piaint line will run through them, I´d likely recommend pulling them, painting, and then reinstalling them before the clearcoats.... But I can´t see exactly how far you are and such, so that may or may not be an option