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Client called and asked if I could strip the thick poly finish off the spruce top of an acoustic. My understanding is that the two options are sanding and heat. I've sanded tops before and ruined one (fortunately it was mine) so that's out for me. Not sure about using heat on an acoustic, I'd be afraid something else might come apart. My feeling right now is that I'm not going to do it but maybe I'm missing something.

Anyone else done this? Any advice (besides leave it alone )?

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I've stripped a number of solid body guitars with a heat gun, but never an acoustic. On particularly recalcitrant finishes you can scorch the wood underneath before the finish lifts. Wouldn't look good on a spruce top...

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Thanks Chris, sounds like that acoustic will be better if he leaves it alone. I'm going to pass on this one.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

A Carruth scraper will make quick work of that.

My favorite scrapers, I was one of the first to get one when StewMac started selling them. I used them on the last two tops I stripped and I have to say the process did not go that great - both of those guitars (one EM6000, the other Royal Lac) will be getting new tops. By the time I got the tops cleaned up and ready to refinish they were thinner than I wanted. They are guitars I built so there's not a lot of extra wood on the top. I don't think the scrapers were the problem, just the mechanical finish removal process. Maybe I'm too picky

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I've done a couple electric guitars before too and well if I were you I would pass too! It's something I will never do again. I used a product called Aircraft Remover and it worked but it's evil too. If you do use that absolutely do it outside while wearing a gas mask.

The guitar was a Recording King 328; he wasn't looking for a new guitar but he really just liked the way it sounded. I already recommended to the guy that he would be better off if he left it alone, especially since he already really likes the sound (we had the "what changes to the top can do" conversation). He's happy now and will bring it in to get it setup.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Good call. No doubt refinishing it would change the tone.