Restore Guitar

[Roger Peine]

Howdy.
A friend of mine has asked me about restoring an acoustic guitar. I can't help him so, i thoughts to meself i'd be askin' you lot. He's done the stripping and wants to know how to remove the original stain ??
Without removing any more wood....

It was suggested Oxalic Acid might be the go but... i can't comment because i've never used it. What are peoples thoughts on stain removal ????
Thanks in advance
Roj

[Iain]

Have a look at http://home.flash.net/~guitars/ReRanch101.html

Bear in mind that when you attack the timber you are changing the structure and possibly the acoustic quality of the instrument.
Classical guitars have an effective life of tenyears, five on the up and five on the down and then they lose their resonance (I am talking about a good instrument not a cheapy). Violins display the opposite qualities which I think is attributed to the finish.
I have a rimares guitar which is 15 years old and still sounds good but lacks the projection that it had 5 years ago.
If you are talking about a cheap instrument, under $1000.00, I don't really think it would matter, but if it is a good one $5000+ I would leave well alone and put up with the scratches.
Another site to look at for references only www.luth.org/contents.txt (http://www.luth.org/contents.txt)

[Roger Peine]

Thanks for the insights Iain. I will pass this stuff onto the guy who is in need.

Has any one out there used Oxalic acid or, bleach as a stain remover????? Or; any other method of stain removal???