This is exactly what I want to do to my '73 F212XL. There is a lot of incidental chip damage on it and I don't like that Cabernet red color. But it appears that you just used a scraper, did not use a chemical stripper. Can you give more details about your process?
Hi Rob,
I do NOT use chemical strippers of any kind.
I rely on a scraper developed by Al Caruth. (StewMac sells it, currently -
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/scrapers/stewmac-ultimate-scraper/). I will sharpen it several times during a session. Using a scraper, there are thousands of passes required to remove the finish, but the results are worth the effort.
Lacquer will dry to become impressively hard, almost “glass-like” hard, over time. It requires a razor-sharp scraper, a great deal of patience, and several hours to successfully remove. Short strokes with even pressure that remove narrow curls of material, working one section at a time, are necessary for best results. I never try to “git ‘er done!” quickly, as that will only end in frustration (or worse).
I have removed NCL finishes from so many guitars that I am very comfortable using an oscillating sander with 220 grit paper to just “scratch” the outer layer of lacquer on FLAT surfaces only (I use a Festool ETS 150/3 EQ Sander fitted with Festool P220 Granat paper, connected to a Festool Cleantec CT 48 E vacuum). This reduces my scraper time by about 1/3 - and that really adds up over the guitars, over the years!
Here is a link to an article about another Guild I scraped clean. It includes some photos (it is a really long article, so the link should take you to the section titled “Finish Removal”):
1999 Guild JF65-12 Overhaul. An article by Cozad Guitars.
cozadguitars.com