alden 9908 Stratotone Mars Restoration

[tadstoy31f]

Hello I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this but i'm in need of advice in the restoration of this old alden 9908. A very big THANK YOU to Spud1950 for his help and guidense in just identifying this guitar for me. Now my question is the paint on this puppy has a some chips and scratches in it and I was wondering if it would be wise to repaint it or just clean it and leave it as is. Would a new paint job destroy its value or maybe help it. I have cleaned the dust off of it but not sure how to go about restoring the finish. Oh and this one has a 1964 date stamp inside the body and on the pickup. It also has 8090 8396 stamped inside the body as well that I dont know what they stand for. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
[img]http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp354/tadstoy31f/th_alden9908face.jpg
http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... dbackc.jpg
http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... ide1c2.jpg
http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... 8side2.jpg
http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... 8facec.jpg
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[tadstoy31f]

I'm sorry like being guitar illiterate i'm also new to this pic posting thing. Here are the bigger pics not the thumbnails.
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http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... 1222025468
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... 1222025520
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http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... 1222025751
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[Spud1950]

[tadstoy31f]

[cheepaxes]

Spud1950: "Do not refinish it!"

Not that corroborating opinions are necessary but, I agree.

Having said that, I had some success in dealing with similar finish flaws on a Harmony Rocket by using furniture touch-up markers. I got mine in Cherry but I'm sure you could find a brown similar to the color of your guitar. This is not to suggest the guitar needs it, just that it would be a way to deal with those nicks and chips without refinishing.

-Scott