Epiphone Les Paul Special Model - 3 - Power Tools and Elbow Grease!

 Firstly I used the power sander to take of most of the surface lacquer, black coat and primer trying to carefully avoid taking of too much of the sander sealer.

 Some careful clamping makes it easier to access the cut-out and rounded sides.

I finished rough sanding the front and back then concentrated on the sides. Close inspection shows the grain showing through by the control cavity.