Refinish D4 top

[Wilmywood]

Just bought this 1992 D4 to be my road guitar instead of my '72 G37. It is in decent shape structurally, but has a couple of spots on the top where the nitro is gone, I assume wiped off with thinner rather than sanded, because the edges are rather stark rather than feathered like sanded might be. The two on the lower bout are fairly obvious, but there is also one on the left of the soundhole that is less obvious.
I'm looking for advice on refinishing this top (or if I should do anything but touch it up). Should I wipe the nitro off with thinner or sand it off? Should I try to refinish with nitro or would some sort of polyurethane or stain do as well?
See the attached photo.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Wilmywood]

*bump*

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I am suspecting the section toward the edge on the bass side may have suffered from "severe arm sweat" and, to clean it up, someone ended up wiping off the satin finish. I cannot explain the bare spot behind the bridge.

Depending on how much wear you expect to subject the guitar to, leaving it "as is" could be fine or very problematic, over time.

If it was my guitar, I would remove the bridge and the pickguard, sand the top and refinish it with lacquer, providing it with another 30+ years of protection. But I am set up to do that type of work, and I think the guitar is worth the effort. I would definitely (lightly) sand the remaining finish off, as lacquer thinner will dilute everything (finish, vinyl sealer, grime, cleaners, etc) and saturate the wood with the residues. Lacquer thinner will also destroy the pickguard, if you get near it. When sanding, care must be taken to prevent literally thinning the soundboard with sandpaper.

If you are (highly) skilled at sanding and (extremely) patient, you could sand off the remaining finish sufficient to apply new lacquer over the soundboard without removing the pickguard and the bridge, But I believe you would be hard pressed under the very best of circumstances to pull off a "good as new" look.

 

[chazmo]

^ What Chris said!

 

[Wilmywood]

I am suspecting the section toward the edge on the bass side may have suffered from "severe arm sweat" and, to clean it up, someone ended up wiping off the satin finish. I cannot explain the bare spot behind the bridge.

Depending on how much wear you expect to subject the guitar to, leaving it "as is" could be fine or very problematic, over time.

If it was my guitar, I would remove the bridge and the pickguard, sand the top and refinish it with lacquer, providing it with another 30+ years of protection. But I am set up to do that type of work, and I think the guitar is worth the effort. I would definitely (lightly) sand the remaining finish off, as lacquer thinner will dilute everything (finish, vinyl sealer, grime, cleaners, etc) and saturate the wood with the residues. Lacquer thinner will also destroy the pickguard, if you get near it. When sanding, care must be taken to prevent literally thinning the soundboard with sandpaper.

If you are (highly) skilled at sanding and (extremely) patient, you could sand off the remaining finish sufficient to apply new lacquer over the soundboard without removing the pickguard and the bridge, But I believe you would be hard pressed under the very best of circumstances to pull off a "good as new" look.

I'm really not looking for 'good as new'. just want to protect the top from the elements as easily as possible. Thoughts about just the minimum to protect?

 

[schoolie]

You could seal the wood with some dewaxed shellac. It will show, but should at least protect the wood.

 

[Wilmywood]

You could seal the wood with some dewaxed shellac. It will show, but should at least protect the wood.

Those spots show now so that is not a consideration. This thing is not a cherry and I will not be spending the money to make it one. Thanks for the advice.

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, you could also just apply lacquer if, as Chris said, you don't mind it not looking perfect.

ColorTone Nitrocellulose Guitar Lacquer - StewMac

ColorTone is specially formulated for the needs of stringed instruments.

www.stewmac.com