Drilling Through Finish?

[Bmth Builder]

If say I had a guitar with a flame maple top over which was laquered, if I wanted to add a piezo bridge at a later date could I just drill the controls holes very carefully through the top in the cavity, or would I have to refinish?

Cheers

[killemall8]

drilling thru finish is fine.

[erikbojerik]

To add more detail...the best way is to lay down a strip of masking tape over the location of the hole, and drill through that way. It will help prevent the finish from lifting. Then when you remove the tape, pull toward the center of the hole, pulling the tape low across the hole, so that you don't lift the finish with the tape itself.

[avengers63]

Also, when you start the hole, run the drill slowly in reverse to get through the finish. This will reduce the possibility of burning AND chipping the clear.