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How best to remove finish?
Hi
I have this old Harmony terz guitar where the finish is really bad--it seems to have been refinished once and then left in the sun to dry. So I was thinking about removing the finish to just have it as bare wood since the bad finish really bugs me. How do I do it best, sander or heat gun or something else? As you can see in the photos in the link below it looks like there is a pretty thick layer of paint in some places... https://imgur.com/a/rRYDbPE Thanks for your help! Hans
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Tabs for songs by Kelly Joe Phelps and other artists at my website: www.hhrasmussen.dk/music Last edited by Hanzalot; 06-21-2019 at 11:52 PM. |
#2
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Probably lacquer thinner will work - or paint stripper if it's not lacquer. Don't use a heat gun on an acoustic guitar as there's a chance you'll crack the solid wood as it dries out too quickly.
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#3
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First, make sure the wood is thick enough to survive a finish removal, measure various locations, most methods will involve some form of sanding of the wood itself, the only method that does not is plastic media blasting
I have knocked back easily 50 plus resprays over the years due to the wood being IMO to thin. Steve
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#4
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And @runamuck - thanks, paint stripper sounds like a great idea. Does this look like the right stuff? https://www.google.com/search?q=lak+...EW&pie=plaji-i Hans
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#5
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I prefer to remove by dissolution without removing wood. This guitar had a coat of red-tint lacquer over the original lacquer.
I removed it with lacquer thinner and paper towels. Took 2 to 3 hours. My amateur hours are free. Sanded with 400 grit for less than 5 minutes. Insignificant wood disturbance. [IMG][/IMG] |
#6
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I've been planning something like this on a late 70's MIJ Martin copy (Aria PW-70/Matsumotu). Your method seems to be the best option I've seen, short of putting ungodly hours worth of sanding into it and risking taking it too far.
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#7
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#8
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It's a 1927 Martin. Lacquer dissolves. This was at least twice as thick as factory. Found that laying on a towel and saturating with thinner softened easier than excessive rubbing from dry.
There is no residue. Thinner flashes off. I also removed most of the filler in the process. Final finish is French-polished platina shellac with no filler. Second pic is off-the-pad finish; no compound/abrasive polishing. I realize that the finish is inauthentic. Next owner is welcome to change it if they desire. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] |
#9
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Thanks Hans
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Tabs for songs by Kelly Joe Phelps and other artists at my website: www.hhrasmussen.dk/music |
#10
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Shellac is from flakes. Platina is the color. I buy from: https://www.shellacshack.com/ You should look for a more local supplier. |