It should look like new if you are selling it as new.  If it is
yours you can do whatever you want.

I think that musical instruments are no different to antique dealers
than anything else; what matter is _prices_.

I have dabbled in furniture, guns, swords, coins, pens, zithers,
and balalaikas.  All the dealers preach that _any_ modification or
refinishing cuts the antique value.  Even any preservative oils must
be anguished over.

An antique is more priced by it's rarity, originality and condition
than by it's age.  A faded original paint job on a car far out-prices
the best new epoxies, etc.

Will Herzog