'66 Mustang - Fixing These Cracks?
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 6:48 pm
Or 'Would you?' Trying to address two cracks in the back of the body.
This refin was completed by an acquaintance around 2006 . It is acceptable- with the exception of the two cracks that (re)surfaced about five years ago. Given I completed the refin of my G&L with quite (I think) excellent results I wonder if I can do better- but want to get the best approach to the problem of the cracks:
The refinisher was candid with me, that there were two splits in the body (coinciding with the 3-piece joints.) He was able to even spread them slightly for me. His words: "Looks like someone tried to step on each side of the body to pry the neck off." His (alleged) fix was to syringe-inject the seams with glue (I didn't witness this- but also don't have a reason to disbelieve that the cracks were glued.) He then applied ReRanch nitro and all was good for some years.
They re-emerged when I moved to a more coastal area with higher humidity than the desert I lived in before. See below pics- but the crack edges are slightly raised vs. the surface of the paint elsewhere, and the crack is *close* to having connected with a similar one from the neck pocket on the treble side (but never has.)
How would you check to ensure the cracks are stable and don't require any additional attention glue-wise? How would you stabilize them if they required it? My options based on my present thought process:
This refin was completed by an acquaintance around 2006 . It is acceptable- with the exception of the two cracks that (re)surfaced about five years ago. Given I completed the refin of my G&L with quite (I think) excellent results I wonder if I can do better- but want to get the best approach to the problem of the cracks:
The refinisher was candid with me, that there were two splits in the body (coinciding with the 3-piece joints.) He was able to even spread them slightly for me. His words: "Looks like someone tried to step on each side of the body to pry the neck off." His (alleged) fix was to syringe-inject the seams with glue (I didn't witness this- but also don't have a reason to disbelieve that the cracks were glued.) He then applied ReRanch nitro and all was good for some years.
They re-emerged when I moved to a more coastal area with higher humidity than the desert I lived in before. See below pics- but the crack edges are slightly raised vs. the surface of the paint elsewhere, and the crack is *close* to having connected with a similar one from the neck pocket on the treble side (but never has.)
How would you check to ensure the cracks are stable and don't require any additional attention glue-wise? How would you stabilize them if they required it? My options based on my present thought process:
- Assuming the cracks are stable (my present lean unless I can be convinced otherwise,) spot repair by sanding the back of the guitar flat, using wood filler on the crack area & re-sanding, sealing that portion of the body, spraying Daphne & clear nitro, wet sand/polish etc.
- Or should I assume the cracks aren't stable, get a syringe and try to re-inject glue? Here's where I need help
- Or - Leave it alone and deal with it