Refinishing the top of a 100 Year old Violin.

August 27, 2006 at 4:02 AM

I've decided to try and refinish the top of my JB Clopton Violin #20 made expressly for Marsh JF Nash of Bastrop.

I got the violin from his Grand Daughter and it was in poor shape, the nut was missing, finger board on crocked, no saddle etc... I got it put to gether with some new fittings, but the top varnish was horrible worn and bare in many areas, perhaps someone dropped some alchol in it?

I started wiping it with de-natured alcohol, and the finish did not seem to come off as well as I hoped, I'm going to try it for a few sessions. Some did indeed come off and see if I can get totally down to the wood.

I know that re-varnishing de-values the violin, but I'm not concerned with that as it's made by an american maker and not expensive and I intend to keep it.

I've been looking for some tips on the web, but haven't found any comprehensive info on how to refinish a violin.

I'm excited to see if I can do this.

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