Advice for re-finishing congas

[yeeman]

I will be getting three new MEINL congas ( rubber wood w/ clear finish....no stain ) and plan to have them sanded down & stained a deeper color....something like cherry...on the lighter side. What advice can you give me on the process ?( type of power sander, how many grades of sand paper, clear finishes for outside & inside shell,etc ) I will probably have someone else do this...unless it's too expensive for me.
( can the clear finish be taken off with a solvent ? )

Thanx

[Derbeno]

There are quite few long and detailed threads on Conga remodeling with input from master woodworkers.

Play with the search function see what comes up.