conroystoptime
Oud Maniac
Posts: 59
Registered: 2-22-2012
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Removing Soundboard Varnish
I posted this in Tips/Advice a few days ago, but didn't get any responses. Does anyone have any guidance?
I'm considering removing the varnish from the soundboard of an oud. Can anyone provide me, or point me toward, a how-to on this subject?
Thanks
Josh
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ALAMI
Oud Junkie
Posts: 645
Registered: 12-14-2006
Location: Beirut
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I successfully removed the finish from the face of a oud usig a product called "Decapex - Décapant universel" bought at a BHV store.
It was a Fadel, Koweit model, he used to varnish them heavily due to the humidity in Koweit.
The varnish was completely removed and the wood looks very natural now but it smelled like hell for three months.
I tested it on a small area near the neck and waited for three days to see if there is a harm to the wood, there wasn't so I did the rest, it took a
day and a ton of old white Tshirts.
It worked for me but I won't consider it as a tip for all cases, with another varnish it may not work or harm the face, I just don't know and I am
still not sure if it is a good or bad advice.
I have photos of the process but I can't post here from an Ipad,
BTW, is there a way to post photos from an Ipad, any tip?
Edit,
linked photos
http://db.tt/7KWchg6d
http://db.tt/tZbAw4Oz
http://db.tt/8T91mi5L
http://db.tt/bCqTgAb8
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ALAMI
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 12-14-2006
Location: Beirut
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This how it looks 4 years after the finish removal, the wood has recovered it's natural look, some traces remain around the pick guard and inside the
rosette.
http://db.tt/aqPD9bJ8
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conroystoptime
Oud Maniac
Posts: 59
Registered: 2-22-2012
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Thanks, Alami.
You did a nice job there...beautiful Fadel oud, too.
Just curious...did you notice a change in the tone of the instrument after the varnish was gone?
Josh
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fernandraynaud
Oud Junkie
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Registered: 7-25-2009
Location: San Francisco, California
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I would suggest a different approach. I used this on an Egyptian oud with a ridiculously varnished glossy face. Use a very fine steel wool and work it
down to a thin and lovely semi-matte finish. You would most likely want some protection on the wood anyway, so it doesn't absorb stains, and if you
properly use shellac, that's approximately how it would end up. This way it doesn't require major chemicals, it can look very classy, and it stays
clean.
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Mehran
Oud Junkie
Posts: 210
Registered: 4-27-2006
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I agree with Fernandraynaud. I used very fine 0000 steel wool to reduce the varnish on a Salmeen oud I used to play.
I applied the steel wool with a circular motion in a small area under the bridge to begin with. It produce results as fernandraynaud described, taking
the edge off the gloss. I felt there was some improvement in the response of the instrument.
I felt it was an easier option for me than using chemicals/solvents.
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ALAMI
Oud Junkie
Posts: 645
Registered: 12-14-2006
Location: Beirut
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It is never a good idea to use chemicals on a oud, but the thick finish, on top of being ugly and too dark, was seriously damping the face, as it
appeared later on. A year later the oud opened up seriously.
The original plan was to add a thin Finish later, but I liked the fresh tones and the, literally, unfinished look.
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