<HTML>Joe:      I always clean the plates I'm refinishing with mine= ral spirits. I use Mohawk gold gilding and Campbell's lacquer. Chipping does= occasionally occur during re-stringing. I covered the exposed part of the plate with a thick piece of felt. Touch up= is required after restringing. If you figure out how to keep from 'nicking'= the plate, please let me know. I've never stripped a plate but I have spray= ed primer one uses to primer automobiles before the final finish. I had the = same occassional 'nicking' problem. How do they string a new plate at he fac= tory and not 'nick' the plate.....or do they do the same but have a better t= ouch up procedure? Maybe we just need to learn a great touch up procedure.<B= R> Tommy Black Decatur, Ala.</HTML>