Burnt varnish

[108 Mile]

Hi All, I got a small area on the top of my mandolin too close to a heat source (don't ask me how) and the varnish bubbled up. Can I remove this area of varnish with turpentine without affecting the stain underneath, or not?
I can touch up with Tru oil if all goes well.
many thanks
Charlie

[lenf12]

Charlie, I gotta say, if you have no experience with this type of repair, I would seek out an expert to do the job. You don't mention anything about the specific mandolin, builder, is it really varnish finished. etc. I would let somebody else do it.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[sunburst]

The color could be in the wood surface, under a sealer (or not), in a seal coat, in a finish coat, etc.
The varnish could be over a sealer or not. The bubbles could be between the varnish and the wood, between the varnish and a sealer, between a sealer and the wood...
The varnish could be spirit varnish, oil varnish, catalyzed varnish, lacquer...
Turpentine could have no effect, could remove the finish, could remove the color...
We just don't know.