Violin- Sanding and Refinishing?

Without reading the google doc - A violin is not a piece of furniture, so unless you're learning how to varnish violins for a class in violin repair, you should probably stay away from it. You don't re-finish a violin except in the most extreme cases. You leave the original varnish on and touch it up as necessary.

Long ago I was looking for a new instrument. I went into a shop and asked if they had any violas. The guy said he had one but it needed to be sanded down and refinished first. I left and never went back because that was a clear indication that the shop owner had no clue how to treat a bowed string instrument.

Taen, I took the time to read your document. As I'm sure you've learned from the other answers, this is a bad idea on several levels. If you were an aspiring luthier looking to experiment on finishing a violin, this might be a good way to practice. However, it sounds like you're just looking for a cheap violin to learn on, and don't like the looks of the cheap ones. One other thing you need to consider is that in addition to sounding bad, a $70 violin is going to be poorly set up, making it hard to play. The obvious solution to all three issues (playability, tone, and cosmetics) is to spend a little more money on a better instrument. It's always better to go to a local violin shop, but if you shop online, use a reputable dealer like Shar: http://www.sharmusic.com/Instruments/Violin/

Having said that, IF you were to ignore advice and proceed with this plan, I'd suggest you buy an unfinished or "in the white" violin. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/unfinished-violin Note you'll have to buy hardware and set the instrument up yourself.

I know luthiers who have done that as part of a learning exercise, but I don't think they actually strip them down and refinish them. I've seen it done on electric guitars, but never on a violin.

In addition to a number of very skilled and experienced violinists, including Lainiebsky, we have the good fortune to have a specialist in violin repair in our forum. I hope he will be along shortly.

If you are making a wall hanging out of a $20 eBay violin-shaped-object- go ahead, experiment with everything in the nearest Home Depot. If you expect this to be a working and playable musical instrument when are done - then you are in WAAAAAAY over your head.