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Steve VandeWater
Nov-12-2014, 12:51pm
I stripped off the chipped and gouged lacquer from my Eastman 515 and refinished it with Danish Oil. Here are the before and after pics. Sounds great and I like the looks of the thin finish, more natural appearance, and lack of sunburst much better.
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GuyIncognito
Nov-12-2014, 1:43pm
Nice! I just recently took some scotchbrite and steel wool to my 514 after advice from another member and it's done wonders for its looks and tone. I'll put some pics up soon. But well done, yours looks great

atbuckner21
Nov-12-2014, 2:15pm
Could you post the steps you took to refinish you Eastman? I have a 615 and this intrigues me. What differences did you notice in tone? Thanks!

Mike Arakelian
Nov-12-2014, 3:23pm
Nice job...it looks 100% better and I'll bet the sound is better too.

Steve VandeWater
Nov-12-2014, 4:00pm
It does sound a lot better. Clearer tone and more sustain for certain. The steps were:
remove hardware
strip off the finish using Star 10 paste stripper and an old credit card for a scraper.
Repeat as necessary
Clean with mineral spirits
restain with whatever color you want. I used a Varathane product from Menard's
Apply Danish Oil and wipe the excess off after 30 minutes
Repeat Danish Oil application/wipe off
Buff with a green Scotch brite pad
Re attach hardware
It was really very simple to do.

Steve VandeWater
Nov-13-2014, 9:59am
Sorry, it was too late to edit my last post. I forgot one step. Between stripping and cleaning with mineral spirits, sand off any leftover residue. Good luck!
GuyIncognito, how do you like your 514? I've been wanting one for awhile now.

atbuckner21
Nov-13-2014, 10:53am
Thanks so much man! It was really kind of you to take the time to respond. I am in a band in Middle TN called Steel Bridge (steelbridgemusic.com) and I do the acoustic, electric, and mandolin work for them. I have a 615 and I just ordered a Mid Mo M-1 from the late 1990's, should be here on Saturday or Monday! Thanks again :)

Colin Lindsay
Dec-06-2014, 12:19pm
Thanks for the details, Van - I’m debating doing this with a Waldzither that’s a bit poorly-looking after almost a hundred years. I just need to work up the courage to start it…

Gary Leonard
Dec-09-2014, 12:54am
Wow! Love the oil finish. Well done.

Ron McMillan
Dec-09-2014, 10:42am
Good job. I love the new look, which is so much nicer than the factory sunburst. That it sounds better is a real bonus.

Caleb
Dec-12-2014, 9:27pm
Wow, looks great. I took the horrible and globbed on gloss off my 505 years ago and have never regretted it. I wasn't nearly as ambitious as you though! I just took mine to a satin finish.

bjz
Dec-18-2014, 10:37am
your 515 looks fantastic! I've been wanting to do this to my 505 classic finish, but mine seems to have a much thinner lacquer, and actually has a really nice sunburst that pretty much only comes out in the sunlight. Now, my loar 220 is another story but alas that darned poly base coat likely makes it more work than its worth.