Shellberg Posted March 4, 2020 Report Share Posted March 4, 2020 Hey guys. So I'm an average player and a novice luthier, novice as in I am just starting to prove together a build. But just recently I picked up a beautiful les paul with a flamed maple cherry bust top. But for some reason the last owner buffed up the beautiful mahogany on the back of the neck, and stained it all black. So 1, how do I get the stain off with out losing to much wood, 2 what can I finish the mahogany with to make it shine just like the back of the the body? Thanks for looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADFinlayson Posted March 4, 2020 Report Share Posted March 4, 2020 Welcome to the forum. Pics would be helpful. When you say stained - have they sanded sanded all the mahogany back to bare wood and stained or is it painted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistermikev Posted March 4, 2020 Report Share Posted March 4, 2020 I would just take an angle grinder to it (totally kidding!). man... if it's stain... I would not think it would be a good idea to try to get it out. Even tho you'd probably only have to go down 1/32" of wood... that could prove a disaster. just sayin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellberg Posted March 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2020 Thanks guys. Last night i did take some 700 sand paper to a small spot, figured of I made it look worse I'd just touch it up again. But it seemed to go back down to raw wood fairly easily...worth the risk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistermikev Posted March 5, 2020 Report Share Posted March 5, 2020 must not be that deep then - I'm assuming you mean by hand and NOT with a power sander or anything. If so, I'd say 'go for it' probably not much risk if you are sanding thru easily altho with a neck there is always some risk that removing the finish would cause the wood to draw/release moisture and change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted March 5, 2020 Report Share Posted March 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Shellberg said: Thanks guys. Last night i did take some 700 sand paper to a small spot, figured of I made it look worse I'd just touch it up again. But it seemed to go back down to raw wood fairly easily...worth the risk? I actually do that to mahogany on purpose to stain the pores black (or really dark brown). Then just sand the wood till the only color left is in the pores. Do that and and then spray some clear--probably nitro, since it's an LP--level and polish till it matches the front. The sides will be your blend area. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizman62 Posted March 5, 2020 Report Share Posted March 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Shellberg said: But it seemed to go back down to raw wood fairly easily...worth the risk? A small spot was what I was thinking of when I first read your post. And with 700 sandpaper you really can't go deep so it definitely is on the surface. So my vote is a yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellberg Posted March 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2020 Thanks. I'm gonna give it a shot then tomorrow night. I'm not looking for a high gloss finish tho. Rather the varnish that's on the back of the body, then the gloss on the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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