Removing finish

[Eric F.]

So, I have an old Gibson A to which someone has done a pretty lousy refinish on the back. Assuming there's no way to just tone down the color, I want to remove the offending finish (it looks like it was done in red Magic Marker) and then redo it better.

What's the best way to get the finish that's on there now off?

[sunburst]

First things first.
What kind of finish is it? If you don't know, try top find out. The best way to remove some finishes is not the best way to remove others.

Also, it sounds like you need to remove a stain or color as well as the finish. Is the color in the finish, or on the wood under the finish?

[ironscot]

Try DEET! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #Sorry, I couldn't resist. Just finished reading the other thread. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Michael Lewis]

Removing finish can be hazardous to the instrument if not carefully done. REMOVE NO WOOD. Shellac can be removed with alcohol if it hasn't been on to many years, or it can be sanded off. Lacquer can be sanded off or removed with a stripper. I don't recommend the use of a stripper, as it can leave residue in the surface of the wood. Polyurethane can be removed with a heat gun, but be careful not to damage the wood or dry it out too much. If you find a solvent to dissolve the finish be aware that it can penetrate through the wood and carry the stain or dye deep into the wood. So it looks like sanding is the best way to remove finish, but it takes a well practiced hand to get all the finish and not remove wood too.

[PaulD]

Michael's more experienced so trust him first, but I would opt for a scraper rather than sanding. Same idea... mechanical removal... just a different tool. I find many finishes will scrape off pretty nicely, especially if they're poorly applied. On an archtop I would use a french curve or other curved scrapers and try to match the curve. Scrape lightly... it's not a race and you don't want to gouge the wood. You may end up cleaning up with sandpaper.


Deft is a lacquer, not a finish remover.
Bill... I think Ironscot was referring to bug spray, not lacquer! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Paul Doubek

[van]

I put Deft on top of polyurathane one time and it took it all off right down to the wood. It was a mess. They need to market that stuff as a finish remover because it worked better than anything, it only took about 20-30 min to completely destroy all of my hard work.

[Dale Ludewig]

You should never put Deft or any other lacquer thinner solvent based product over anything but shellac or something that is also lacquer thinner based. Of course, you found that out. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

It is very similar to spraying stripper onto it.

[Eric F.]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not sure what the finish is. It's not particularly glossy looking. It's been on there at least 30 years, from what I was told. The thing is, the mando sounds pretty good. I need a new nut and bridge saddle, and to fix the tuners, but then it ought to be sweet. But the finish is just so ... so ... red. Maybe the best thing to do is to sand it very, very slowly and carefully and see what I get. Or send it off to someone - but having just moved, gotten married and honeymooned, I feel like all I do anymore is write checks, so I want to fix this myself.

Speaking of moving ... Dale, I'm almost dug out, which means I'll soon (FINALLY) be able to send you your care package.

[jugband]

Deft is a lacquer, not a finish remover.
Bill... I think Ironscot was referring to bug spray, not lacquer! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Probably so. I don't know what "other thread" he was referring to, but most mosquito repellents will damage most instrument finishes.

Something to keep in mind during summer festivals.

If there's a thread here somewhere on DEET, it would probably be some valuable reading for a lot of people, since it probably deals with mixing mosquito sprays and mandolin finishes...

[PaulD]

I assumed he was referring to this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=28010;hl=deet).

pd

[Yonkle]

I rubbed lacquer thinner on my a few times, once it got soft I scraped it with a razor blade, came right off, finished up with sandpaper.