Stripping finish off a flamenco guitar

daveyh

I’ve acquired a 70s Admira flamenco with a cracked top. Fixed the top very nicely but now it’s time to address the finish. I’ve considered stripping off the finish and oiling/waxing it. Anyone know what the finish is likely to be so it’s easy as possible to remove.

WezV

Really hard to be sure what finish it is, you can try thinners first to see if it budget it... if not its likely for g to need to be sanded.

Do not use the heat gun method on anything acoustic!!   Also be wary of sanding through veneers if its laminate.

Oil and wax on a spruce soundboard can deaden it a bit, at least for a while.   It should liven up again eventually though, just don't be surprised if it sounds dull for a bit.   Think it might be the high resin content of spruce slowing the cure of the oil, or something like that 

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I don't know what your guitar is finished with . You can try dissolving a tiny spot with methylated Spirits . If yes , it's French polish . If no ,it is probably cellulose  . You need cellulose thinners to test  for that. If it's French polish you can clean it off  with wire wool and  methylated spirits . Cellulose is harder to remove easily .  Gently and slowly sanding it off is the best bet. You should use the best quality abrasives  , fine and  washable , but don't get the guitar wood  wet . Personally, I wood rubdown the damaged area and  refinish with  what ever you believe the original to be. Not going to look like new , but that doesn't bother me .