Oh bugger!

The final step in the Dan Armstrong refinish was to paint the cavity behind the pickup rail matt black. So I masked off the guitar and sprayed.

And when I lifted away the masking tape a few hours later, it lifted the new nitro-cellulose off with it.

Lifting away the masking tape took the finish with it

Lifting away the masking tape took the finish with it

Sigh

I'm beginning to feel like Unlucky Alf from The Fast Show whose catch phrase was a resigned 'Oh bugger'.

It's only cosmetic

On the up side, by the time the guitar was reassembled you could hardly see it, honestly. And it certainly looks the way I intended.
Dan Armstrong (London) refinished in vintage white - front view
Dan Armstrong (London) refinished in vintage white - back view