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Question: How should I get rid of spray paint on my guitar!?
Okay, I have a really decent classical guitar I got recently and I absolutely love this thing!.!.EXCEPT it has a damn ugly patch of purple (yes, purple) spray paint on the soundboard (aka the 'face') near the bridge, and it just looks horrible and its trickled down to the bottom too, and some of its on the bridge!.

If this were my crappy electric i wont hesitate scrape it off with my nails right after i got it, but this is a classical, and a nice one too!.!.and I really dont want to mess up the soundboard!. I've heard people tell me to use some weird chemicals but im not sure what that might do to the finish!. Any advice appreciated!.

thanks!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I will stay away from any "additional damage" to the soundboard since by trying to remove the patch you may make it worse and it will never look and SOUND any better!.
My MEL BAY "Classical Guitar Care and Set Up"
does not say anything about "repairing the soundboard" and to me that means better take it to
a certified luthier ($$$) or leave it alone!.
If the guitar is really a luthier-quality guitar then go to a luthier!.
If is a "manufactured" and/or "laminated" top instrument it may not be worth the cost of repair!.
I would then just keep it for "sentimental reasons "
and buy a similar one!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I was faced with an antique stringed instrument that needed repair!. What I did was CAREFULLY sanded the finish !. Get it smoothed to at least 200 grit!. Then spray it with nitrocellulose lacquer!. Any old kind of lacquer will ruin the tonal woods of the instrument!. I recommend calling or E-mailing Steward/McDonald or Luthiers Merchantile International Inc!. and ASKING for some info on what to do and get to repair it!. If you have no experience and it is a high quality instrument, take it to a Luthier shop, it may cost several hundred UP to repair it, so be prepare!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You can try WD-40 that you buy at Canadian Tire!. Don't laugh because this product even takes paint off clothing!.

I know it sounds weird but it cleans so many household stuff without damaging the finish!.

Don't worry because I use it a lot of times , even in bathrub to remove dirt in the shower!. It cleans virtually everything and this will not harm the guitar!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Ignore the first response unless you want to completely ruin the finish on your guitar!. You need to take it to a very competent luthier!. Be prepared to spend money; I don't think there's a simple solution to this problem!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Rubbing AlcoholWww@QuestionHome@Com

keep scrubing with stuff!.
or get a new guitar (newest brand)Www@QuestionHome@Com

I agree with poster number 2!.

The problem with WD-40 is that is it is a petroleum based product and could interact with the lacquer finish!. I work with cars and firearms so I know something about its properties!. also it may not soften the spray paint enough to remove it!. Remember that spray paint is designed to withstand the sun and rain!.

My guess is the sound board will have to be stripped and refinished!. But remember that the finish is an important contributor to the sound quality of the instrument!. Too thick, it'll kill the tone and interfere with the aging process of the wood!. It's important that this be done properly!.Www@QuestionHome@Com