Restoring a guitar to it's original finish

[Gino Carosella]

Hi,
I came across your site and thought that I can possibly ask you this question.  I have a older Epiphone LesPaul which I purchased from a garage sale for $100 and the original owner had covered the whole body with a multicolor stuck on paper (kind of like a Hendrix psychedelic multi-color motif) and had applied a varnish on top of that.  The neck and headstock were untouched and in their original honey burst color.  I am assuming that the body is also honey burst.  

What would be the best approach/product varnish decapper that I can use to remove the varnish and stuck on paper so that I can get to the original lacquer?  I came across Circa 1850 decapper for furniture, but I am not sure since this is a guitar.

Any suggestion would help.  I can send pictures to give you an idea of the guitar.

Thanks

Gino

[Ned Knepp]

Hi Gino,
I'm an amateur so you might want to wait for some posts from some of the Pros here before starting.

If it were mine to do, I would first test the finish for solvency with different products. I don't think I would use a "stripper" ( as we call it in the states) because there isn't enough control with those. I would start with the "thinner" type of fluids and see which one (s) appear to effect the finish then use that one to try to wipe away the finish down to the stickers.

From there I would do some more experimenting to see if I could find something to remove the stickers with out effecting the finish under it. It would not be a quick process.

Even then, there is no certainty that the original finish will not suffer or that it was in good shape to begin with. I would mentally prepare myself for the possibility that stripping off the finish/stickers may reveal a finish that is already a mess and that the guitar may need to be completely refinished anyway.

Ned

[Gino Carosella]

Hi Ned,
thanks for the advice. I also received a comment from a gentleman from Manchester England (Manchester Guitar Tech) saying that I can possibly try Methylene Chloride-based paint stripper and go gently - starting in the back of the body first. I will check this out at our local Home Depot here in Canada. However I do welcome any other advice from the pros out there.

Anyhow if I notice that the original finish is also bad or I ruin it by stripping - I will sand it down to the wood grain and restain and finish it similar to the neck which is honey burst. I got a buddy who owns a fine furniture manufacturer and I'm sure he can help with choice of finishes and lacquers. For the price I paid it's not a big deal (also got a vintage Univox/Unicord Stage 25 amp with it - all for $100 and they both work well). Anyhow I would not attempt this type of stripping and finishing on my other vintage American Strat and Gibson SG which I purchased about 25+ years ago.

thanks
Gino

[William F.Eden]

I think you are going to find that the finish is already spoiled on the guitar.But you can try getting the paper off first then I would try Turpentine on the paper. Infact i would try the turp first it may not touch the Varnish but give a try. The Turpentine will not do any damage to the Lacquer finish on the guitar.Good luck Bill.""""""""""""""

[Robert Filippi]

You know there is a chance that the paper was decoupaged on with shellac or hopefully white glue. If you can scrape some of the varnish from the paper (do not attempt to scrape off the paper yet), then soak the paper with warm water, it might release the glue or shellac. I suggest trying a small spot first. Then what Ned said.

[FRANK]

EPIPHONE LP JR I HAVE FOUND TO BE A PLYWOOD BODY AT TIMES I GUESS IT DEPENDS WHO MADE IT

[Gino Carosella]

I was able to scrap some of the paper/shellac off the edge of the guitar where the trimming is simply with my nail. The paper seems to be that fine multicolor silk paper (almost see through type) that my wife typically uses to wrap gifts in gift bags.

I will try with simply a wet rag in the back of the guitar to see if it starts to come off else I will try a very light diluted turpentine. I can start to see the nice honey burst finish underneath. I think that I will start with the 2 plastic covers in the back of the guitar that cover the electronics. Unscrew those off and see if simple water will release the paper and glue/shellac.

Stay tuned!

Gino

[William F.Eden]

Try a little 50-50 hot water and vinger on the paper it should take it off then wash with The turpentine. Like I said before the turpentine will not hurt the lacquer. Good luck Bill.""""""""""'

[Gino Carosella]

Hi all,
thanks for getting back to me. In fact, I visited the local hardware store on the weekend and spoke to the designer on duty in the paint dept. When she saw the sample plastic cover for the electronics she quickly identified that this was an artistic collage that she herself does and that it would simply wash off with hot water and a lot of patience. So that evening I was able to remove the whole collage from the back of the guitar with hot rag in water while gently scrapping it with my son's plastic school protractor and an old toothbrush. Took about 1 hour to do, but I can tell you that the underlying finish was impectably untouched and not scratched at all. It must have been protected for so many years by this collage. I will have to start the front and side of the guitar this week. I think I will leave just one of the plastic electronic cover plates as is - as a reminder of the original collage design.

What would you suggest that I can use in the end to just polish the body since there may be some light residue watered glue on it. Can I simply use alcohol or is this too harsh?

thanks again,

Gino

[William F.Eden]

No do-not use alcolhol just use Turpentine or Napta then polish it up .Bill.""""""""""""