Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I bought a case on ebay to fit my "new" 1976 country artist, after not finding a case that would fit "just right". Unfortunately, while it fit just right, it needed some repairs. Here's the materials list:
Naphtha
80 Grit Sandpaper
180 Grit Sandpaper
Sanding block
Bondo Fiberglass resin and hardener
Fiberglass cloth
1” Wide webbed strap
Goop glue (Maritime or household, and yes that’s its name) Goop is good because it retains some flexibility.
Bug spray (Reefer-Galler Cedar Scented Spray)
Clear silicon gel small tube (GE)
Paper towels
Newspaper
Armor All
Paint Nut brown Plasti-Kote Odds and Ends Brush on
MaGuire X
Use your common sense because most of the chemicals can make you drool. I’m just going to give a general outline of what to do:
1) Bend valence to approximate shape with pliers.
2) Spray the inside with the bug spray.
3) Wash the outside with the naphtha
4) Fiberglass the cracks. Only tip I have on this is follow directions carefully regarding the amount of hardener and only make an ounce at a time. Use those thin surgical type gloves.
5) In the groove part of the lid valence put in a silicone bead to fill in any gaps to keep case at least partially water resistant
6) Gently pry foam away from lid and case at the place were the web should go. Cut strap to length (make sure that there are at least three inches of strap going into the case side, and 1.5 inches into the lid side. Use the Goop glue.
7) Build up feet on case bottom if necessary with silicone gel.
8) Paint Fiberglass.
9)Rough up paint with something like Macguire X
10) Put on armor all.
Case is fixed and ready for the streets! |
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | good tips.
i'll add, that for a broken handle that breaks where it attaches to the metal pin of the case bracket (seems common on old cases): a guick and dirty 5 minute repair is to drill a 5/16 hole through the handle just above the "weak link" and loop a wire tie (those plastic things used for a zillion things including hand cuffs) around the pin and through the hole twice. zip and snip off the tag with wire cutters and hit the cut end with sandpaper, a file, a cigarette lighter etc, because it is sharp enough to cut meat.
i have a doz of the ties of various sizes in my gig bag at all times. we have used them for everything from mounting temporary stage lighting to droopy mic stand and guitar stand repair to fixing a ladies sandal. we even tie wires with them once in awhile. one of those things like velcro. cheap, effective and multifunctional. |
How to repair an old case: Free tips!
