Re: ukulele repair

If anyone out there has a PLASTIC uke that needs repair,
I have the following suggestion: I found out by experience
that the safest thing to use is the "Shoe Goo" product.

Do NOT use "super-glue" as that product gives off fumes
and can discolor the toy (and some of those plastic ukes
ARE antiques and valuable!)

:
: : I have a three year old koa ukulele custom made for me by Island Ukulele of Kauai, Hawaii. During shipping from Kauai the uke developed finish cracks and the soundboard split at the seam above and below the bridge. I sent it back for refinishing and it has subsequently split at the soundboard seam and cold checked all over the finish. I would like the soundboard repaired and the uke refinished in perhaps a light satin finish.

: : I own many fine guitars and humidify them all as I did with the ukulele. I think some of this problem might have to do with the shipping from Kauai, so I am looking for a mainland shop that can do the work and ship back to me in Vermont via ground.

: : Can you advise whether you can repair and refinish the ukulele and provide a ballpark estimate? I do not require emergency service. The instrument has great tone and beautiful asthetics so I would like to have it repaired.

: Hi Sam,
: The finish check or crazing which you are describing is a very common occurance on instruments finished in nitrocellulose lacquer. The wood expands and contracts as it absorbs moisture and the finish is cracked as a result. On vintage instruments or those subjected to extreme temperature changes this is nearly unavoidable. The good news is that finish checks do not normally adversly affect an instruments value and refinishing one for the purpose of removing these is usually not advisable since refinishing detracts from the value of an instrument.
: When tops or sides develope cracks I normally recommend repairing the crack and touching up the finish instead of completely refinishing it.
: Newer instruments are being finished in "craze resistant" finishes such as polyester and catalyzed finishes but these finishes are not normally found in repair shops due to the enormous investment necessary to spray them and though easy to spray are quite difficult to repair.

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