Re: Restoration of a Silvestri
I am yet to coe across an instrument totally without finish. 2 or layers of shellac will be almost unnoticeable. So I think you can clean it with alcohol and then use shellac after that. You determine how many layers you want.
PLEASE don't sand or even SCRAPE the top. You want to restore an old instrument to look like an old but well kept instrument, not like a new!!
If there are grooves from plectrums or fingernails, you can fill them with superglue or shellac. The latter being a long process but reversible.
I have cleaned and filled this one with shellac. Before and after:
Kentucky KM-805..........2 Hora M1086 Portuguese II(1 in car)
Hora M1088 Mandola.....
Richmond RMA-110..... .Noname Bearclaw
Pochette Franz Janisch...5 Pocket............Alfredo Privitera pocket
Puglisi Pocket 1908........Puglisi 1912.......Puglisi 1917
3 Mandolinetto ..............C.Garozzo
1 Mandriola...................Cannelo G. Mandriola...Böhm Waldzither 1921
Johs Møller 1945............Luigi Embergher Studio 1933
Marma Seashell back......Luigi Embergher 5bis 1909
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