Restoring an old and abused finish

[carfish7]

I'll spare the pics and the details for now, but I'm looking at a mid - 60's acoustic guitar finish (lacquer) that has been exposed to the elements and suffered some abuse. I have already gently scraped the gum off the neck and taken off the layers of dust and sand and food (?!?!), but now I need to address the grime and general scuzzy film that has built up all over it. Finish is heavily checked and the whole thing seems dry as a bone. What should be my weapon of choice for a general de-funking?

Oh yeah, and what is the best way to cut through dried cat piss?

The horror..........

[bubs_42]

I'll spare the pics and the details for now, but I'm looking at a mid - 60's acoustic guitar finish (lacquer) that has been exposed to the elements and suffered some abuse. I have already gently scraped the gum off the neck and taken off the layers of dust and sand and food (?!?!), but now I need to address the grime and general scuzzy film that has built up all over it. Finish is heavily checked and the whole thing seems dry as a bone. What should be my weapon of choice for a general de-funking?

Oh yeah, and what is the best way to cut through dried cat piss?

The horror..........

Burn It, its the only way! I'm going through my own cat issues now and it sucks. I just removed a whole room worth of 5 year old carpet.

Seriously if its on or in the case pitch it, its done. The remedy's for skunk scent didn't even get rid of the Piss Smell.

[murkat]

once again, naptha.

[crunchee]

Definitely sounds like a specialist job. One that I would happily plead ignorance about attempting to fix. But like all rubber-necking bystanders, I'd still like to see the photos.

I know the easiest way to PREVENT cat piss smell and residue is to not have a cat. Think of all the money saved on 'cat odor products'!

[Jimbilly]

My gear all stays in a cat free room, the only cat free room in the house; my office. Other than the occasional staged photo:

Memo has lost about 3 pounds, he's down to about 22.

[a.bandini]

Nature's Miracle cat piss smell remover. It will take several applications, if my extensive experience in attempting to remove one of the worst smells ever from all kinds of things is any guide.

Good luck...