questions about refinishing a gitane d-500

elropo · December 2008

first post. been lurking for quite a while. own 2 carved top & back luthier made archtops. the gitane D-500 is my first and only GJ guitar at this point. i've not had a chance to sample other luthier made GJ guitars, but i do like this one a lot. So! has anyone had success removing the finsh (what i'm projecting to be polyurethane-not lacquer) from a gitane d-500 (or other gitane model) and reapplying either a french polish or a thin coat of nitrocellulose lacquer? if so, were chemicals used to remove the finish, or sandpaper? reasons for doing this would be (1) improving the sound by freeing up the top & back to vibrate more freely & (2) changing the appearance of both the spruce top as well as the back & sides, possibly going with pretty much a clear coat (for that contemporary look), or the flip side would be something similar to the "cognac amber" finish of the Dupont MC-50 from "Sweet & Lowdown". if so, how well & easy did the original finish come off, and were the results what you were hoping to achieve? any advice, pros & cons, and recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Bob Holo · December 2008

You might want to wait till summer to do that project so you can do it outdoor. Josh sanded down a D500 once... in his shop... in the winter... made him dizzy as he** ... he stoppped about midway and warned me about it. I'm not sure what they're using for finish but he said that it had a very pungent chemical smell and got him fairly tweaked.

A.K. Kibben · December 2008

Ron,
First off, welcome to the forum!
You'll find a lot of valuable info here.

I refinished a DG255 with super results.
I purchased a refinishing kit including a book from Stew Mac.
Here is a link to the on line catalog, however I don't see the "kit".
I bet it is in their hard catalog though.
Email them for a catalog and inquire if the kit is still available.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies.html

Here are some photo's of my "FrankenSelmer"
http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/559468021eAdjEz

Good luck, and if you have any questions pm me.

ruolmo · December 2009

Hello elropo,please read the thread:GUITAR FINISHES in this board.The Gitanes (exceptions:the J.Jorgensen models and some of the high end signature models wich have a nitro lacquer inside and out) sport a tough nasty two-pack industrial paint ,specially used as a sanding coat .This paint is so tough that no chemical will remove it (paint stripper...),and even if you try stripper,some small areas will perhaps bubble up ,after hours of applicating the stripper,but this will leave stains in the wood wich can not be removed anymore ,where the stripper penetrates the bare wood.I use a sharp stripping knife to remove the finish,but this is hard work!Do not use one of those straight carpet cutter blades,you want to follow the curves of the back and top,take a super sharp knife.If you sand ,be careful not to sand thru the lamination of the back and sides.Fix the guitar,so you can use both hands to guide the knife.Stroke always in your direction ,as to have good control over the knife.The refinish is a joke compared to the stripping.Sand up to 400 grit ,the cleaner the surface,the easier the lacquering.Use a pore filler (at least for the rosewod),sand smooth,and spray three to four coats of nitro (or automotive acrylic spray cans do a good job too if you do not have a compressor and pro gun).Take your time,no runs!After drying (again,no hurry,the drier,the better) sand with 400/600 /1000 /2000 grit water and soap sandpaper.With a fine rubbing compound and much elbow grease and many soft cloth pieces polish the guitar to a mirror shine.One thing is for shure:taking that nasty inhibiting paint off will free the guitar vibrationwise.And will have the wood breathing ,so the sound can mature .Best regards...and good luck

Shawn · December 2009

I refinished my 255 again recently with excellent results. I wanted to try my hand at French Polishing, and I was trying to get an antique look. Stripping the original finish off the guitar was a time consuming project because I hand sanded the entire thing. After stripping I originally applied a clear Shellac finish, but it just wasn't to my taste, so I decided to "antique" the guitar. I used a fresh can (1 month old) of Zinsser Amber Shellac, and Walnut colored Stain. I brushed on a few coats of the Shellac, sanding each coat, and then applied the stain pretty heavily. I then brushed on a few more coats of Shellac, and finished it out by French polishing to get a smoother finish. The whole project took 2 days (yeah, I know I rushed it), but it turned out quite nice. I also sanded smooth edges on the Moustache end pieces, the bridge, re-installed the DR tailpiece, and installed Ranier Miller tuners.

Here are some before and after pictures. The finish is actually darker and browner than the camera was able to capture...it really did turn out quite beautifully. And the sound...the guitar was able to really open up.

andmer · December 2009

that looks fantastic.

JazzDawg · December 2009

Shawn,

Really, a great looking guitar, nice job. How's the GJ scene in your area?

Shawn · December 2009

Thanks guys!

Unfortunately, JazzDawg, it's nearly non-existant. I'm beginning to believe I'm the only person in Kansas that has even heard of Django, besides you of course

. Regardless, I do play Selmer style instruments but I wouldn't consider myself a Gypsy Jazz guitarist. Whenever I get a chance to gig I play a variety of Peter Brotzmann, Django, Ornette Coleman, Roland Kirk, etc. I'm actually more into Free Jazz and the Avant Garde scene...and higly influenced more by Sax players than guitar players. However, I've been in love with Selmer guitars for years, and I find they actually work quite well with these styles.