INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Sand away the existing finish completely, or just rough up the existing finish to allow a fresh coat of paint to stick. If you're going with a stain, translucent paint, or if the original finish is much darker than the color of paint your using, then you need to completely remove the existing finish. Otherwise, if you're using a solid paint, then you only need to rough up the surface. Please be aware that most guitar builders agree that a thick coat of paint is tonally inferior to a thin coat of paint. Fit an orbital sander with coarse-grit sandpaper and work over the entire guitar body using smooth, circular strokes. This technique should allow you to remove most of the lacquer and paint on the guitar's body. You may be tempted to use paint stripper. However, this is a very messy and toxic process, and most paint strippers are not capable of removing the rock-hard polyurethane that modern guitar manufacturers use. For curved areas that are difficult to reach with the orbital sander, use loose sandpaper wrapped around a large dowel, or you can use a small sanding sponge. Coarse-grit sandpaper is best for removing the paint and lacquer. After using coarse-grit sandpaper to remove the finish, you'll want to smooth out the wood using progressively finer grains of sandpaper. Work the entire body over with medium-grit sandpaper (such as 120-grit), and then go over it again using fine-grit sandpaper (such as 200-grit). A vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment can remove most of the sanding dust. To remove additional dust, you can use a can of compressed air to spray it away or wipe it away with a moistened cloth or tack cloth. Unless you are going for the unfilled look, an option you have when working with mahogany or other porous woods, then you will need to fill in the grain with a filler or putty. Choose a water or oil based filler that will match the paint or finish you are using. Do not touch the guitar's surface after this step, or oils from you fingers will ruin the finish.

SUMMARY: You have two options. Use an orbital sander to remove the bulk of the finish. Use sandpaper or a sanding sponge to remove the remaining finish. Smooth the guitar's body. Remove all sanding dust. Apply grain filler. Finally, use mineral spirits to completely remove all oils.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Mix 1 part cream of tartar with 1 part lemon juice in a small bowl to make a paste. Be sure that your solution is thoroughly mixed throughout the solution before applying it to your stain. Cream of tartar is most useful for removing deep-colored stains, like blood, from leather. You should apply the paste with a toothbrush and gently rub on the blood stain. Allow your paste to sit for 10 minutes before removing it. You can use a damp rag to brush off the paste. If the stain remains, try re-applying your paste until the stain is gone or you no longer remove anything from the discolored area. Use a clean damp cloth to rinse off what remains of your cleaning paste. Make sure to rinse the area thoroughly, as leaving behind your cleaning paste might do damage to your leather upholstery. Use a dry towel to soak up any excess moisture left over from your rinsing. When you have absorbed all the moisture you are able, you should allow the area to air dry. This will help prevent future stains and seal some added moisture into the leather to prevent it from cracking over time. You can find leather conditioner at most hardware and auto stores, or in the auto section of larger retailers.

SUMMARY: Make your solution. Apply the paste to your stain. Remove the paste and reapply it if necessary. Rinse the stained area. Dry the remaining moisture. Follow up with a leather conditioner.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It is absolutely imperative that you refill the gear oil in your car's rear differential with the correct type of fluid.  Refer to the owner's or service manual for your car in order to find the correct type of gear oil to purchase.  You can also ask the clerk at your local auto parts store to assist you in finding the right gear oil. Purchase gear oil that comes in a squeezable plastic bottle with a spout unless you have an oil pump to use. Open the container of rear differential gear oil and insert the end of the long spout into the open filler/service port.  Squeeze the bottle slowly to push the oil out of the bottle and into the differential until fluid begins to leak out of the hole.  Make sure to wipe up any fluid that leaks out of the open service port. If the differential takes an entire bottle of gear oil, you may want to have the differential looked at by a mechanic to address any possible leaks. Once the differential is full, reinsert the plug for the filler/service port and turn it clockwise (to the right) until it is tight.  Use the appropriate wrench to tighten it enough to ensure it won't vibrate loose as you drive.  Do not overtighten the plug, it needs only to be tight enough to be secure. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle back to the ground.

SUMMARY:
Purchase the correct type of gear oil. Insert the spout into the filler/service port. Replace the filler plug.