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da_joka
Lokahi
361 Posts |
 Posted - 09/24/2013 : 09:07:44 AM
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Howzit?
Any tips fo getting rid of mold in a 40 year old solid mahogany baritone ukulele? My uncle gave um to me dis past summer. He lives in Waimea (Big Island). He didn't touch da ukulele fo probably 30 or 40 years.
Tanks eh!
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If can, can. If no can, no can. |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
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haolebrownie
Aloha
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2013 : 4:20:27 PM
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| A little late to the party on this one. I don't think there is an easy solution. I'd make sure to thoroughly dry it out since the mold thrives in damp conditions. Be careful when dehumidifying. If you do it too quick or too much, you'll damage the uke. Try to place it in a room with a relative humidity in the 40 percent range if you can. After you get it stabilized, I'd try to clean it out using rice as suggested by frets.com. You can also try to wipe as much of it off inside as you can get to and then use a shop vac to clear it out (or compressed air; just be careful not to breath it in). Honestly, the only way to really clean it up completely is to pull the top off, sand, clean, and re-glue. That is a whole different beast depending on the uke's construction (bolt on neck? Spanish heel? Type of glue/epoxy? Is it bound? Etc.). Regardless, when you are done cleaning it the best you can, make sure to keep it in a relatively dry place. I know it is tough in Hawaii unless you live in the a/c, but just try to keep an eye on it and not let it get too damp. |
Kī Hōʻalu and ʻUkulele Soul |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2013 : 1:38:07 PM
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What Haolebrownie said, exactly. And to add... the rice thing is 2fold. It works to 'scrub' the insides, but it's also a effective to help remove moisture.
After cleaning it out, I'd recommend NOT trying to remove existing mold, but to use some modern desiccant to keep the mold from re-growing. I have experience living in a very poorly insulated cabin in the Santa Cruz Mountains where mold 'grew' every winter. (rainy season) I used desiccant packs that came in purchased products, (electronics, like my XBox, had 3 or 4 of the packs) and just tossed them in my acoustic guitars.
If you live in an area where you have large humidity variances or if you have a modern home with AC/heat, and good insulation, be careful about doing this as it will rob vital moisture.
If you get mold, I'm figuring you don't have the above. Another good source for the desiccant packs are OTC meds like Advil. Lots of them come with a little barrel of desiccant.
Good luck |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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Mold in 40 year old mahogany baritone uke
