Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm not a luthier, just a guy who has fun making old stuff like new. I recently got a 100+ year old zither to restore. There is a 2"X10" foil covered paper label that extends across the body of the instrument. The label is integral to the instrument because it displays the tuning for each of the 31 strings. It's the only part that will remain original because I can't get a reproduction as a replacement. I had planned to cover the label with tape when it comes time to spray paint the body black. I tested a small area of the label with painter's tape and the foil peeled off with the tape. Therefore, my only hope is to rely on the experts (you) for ideas as to how I might cover the label without destroying it. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

I always installed my labels inside my guitars before finishing. So I would cut out a piece of plastic bag material slightly larger than the label but I used blue painters tape and the surrounding area inside the sound hole was not going to be finished anyway.

Sounds like you need to protect the original label/documentation but still finish right up to it, is this correct? Pictures always are helpful on this forum if you could post one please.

Anyway magnets and a plastic cover cut to the dimensions of the label/documentation might work. I need to see it.

PS: Magnets can be used in all manner of difficult to reach areas. You can walk them into place inside an instrument with a corresponding magnet on the outside. Removal is the reverse.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Just brainstorming here:
a) A relatively thick coat of Vaseline spread on the label. Test before on a small part.
b) Take a good picture an reprint one

Ann Arbor: Yes, I need to protect the label and finish right up to it. I wonder if magnets would work on/through the wood surface. Positioning magnets inside the instrument via the sound hole would probably be pretty difficult. Also, getting a tight seal at the edge of the label with magnets would be hard.

Alain: I like the vaseline idea. A photo reproduction would have to be precisely printed to the original size so the tuning notations are directly under each string. I think I might photo the label and keep it as Plan B in case the vaseline doesn't work.

Any other thoughts?

I use magnets through the top, back and sides of a guitar nearly every day so they work great through the wood. You can attach the magnets where you can reach them and then use the top magnet outside the guitar to slide the magnet inside the guitar into place.

When spraying an instrument you don't want coats so heavy that they can run anyway. So if the plastic is down even if it is not attached and you are not spraying from the sides the label will be protected.

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Ann Arbor Guitars

May be a clear coat over the label and surrounding would prevent the label from peeling when removing the tape then masking and spraying.

Clear coat! Another good idea. Thanks everyone!

Hey -- this should work.... https://www.amazon.com/ASSOCIATED-PAINT ... en_US&th=1