Official Luthiers Forum!

I am currently working on a mando and striping the finish. Does anyone have a good way of striping the finish using solution/liquid? I hate to think of having to hand sand under the fretboard extension. The finish is about 20 years old. TIA

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

dave

there are any number of stripers that will remove the nitro. the citrus ones seem to be less offensive to the senses and the human system generally.

are you still going to replace the fb? what about the woeful binding you mentioned earlier in another post?

Yes,
Fret board is off, so is binding...That was a pain...but it was all crimped and ugly, real bad miters. I just couldn't leave it alone. I know I am going to regret it...but I couldn't help myself...

ANYTHING you can recommend that works real well...I don't care much about toxicity. I just want it off! the citrus stuff I have tried before and didn't like at all.
THANKS!!!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave--Would it be worth trying scrapers to get the bulk off?
Nelson

Thanks for your reply Nelson. I thought of that but I am fretting over the fretboard extension ( no pun intended). With those mandos they are shapped and so small and tight to the body...similarly with the scroll. Something that would loosen most of the finish in there so I could scrape it away with say a bent feeler gauge and then follow up with some sanding sticks. As far as the neck extension...I guess my only other choice is to remove the neck and then sand that area. I guess...I don't know? Hate to do all that....

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave, if it is a lacquer finish, wouldn't lacquer thinner soften it enough to make it easy to scrape off?

Never tried it, but it might work.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I'll try it! Thanks Dave!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave:
I have successfully used Zip Strip to remove nitro. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses. Apply the stripper with a paint brush in a THICK coat. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until you see the finish bubble up. Now use a plastic auto body Bondo applicator to scrape it off and wipe the old finish jelly-like spooge on newspaper.

The applicator is a very SOFT and flexible plastic tool that won't mar the spruce. If you use a hard plastic or even steel putty knife you run the risk of damaging the spruce. The spreaders that I use are yellow in color and are extremely flexible yet they have a molded in sharp edge [similar to a putty knife edge].

If you have any crevices with finish down in there, apply Zip Strip, let it soak, then use a soft plastic bristle tooth brush.

Rinse the wood with clean warm water and let dry thoroughly.

The applicators also work well to spread Zpoxy!

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Dave, you might want to rethink removing the neck. If you are able to somehow get under there to remove the finish, you're only halfway home. What about refinish? How are you going to level or buff under there? Seams like a headache to me when removing the neck really isn't a very big deal.

Thanks Tim & Paul!

_________________
Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"