How to remove finish on acoustic guitar?

Question

Okay, I have a cheap, beater acoustic Squire guitar that I really want to spiff up a bit. As my summer project, I would like to put a design on its front. The problem is, the dye I would be using to draw a design (henna) won't stain finished wood. So, I want to remove the finish and get back to bare wood. Is this possible? The finish is polyeurethane, which I believe can be removed with sandpaper, but the underlying wood is laminated. Would anyone care to help me out? Thanks!

Answer 1

Sand lightly to roughen up the surface of the finish, this gives more surface area for the chemicals to work on. Then use a chemical paint remover to remove the rest. If you try to sand it all down you risk damaging that thin laminated surface.