Cracks in your violin can be a major setback. Can a cracked violin be fixed? While instrument cracks are generally not the end of the world, it is important to take them seriously and get them fixed as soon as possible.
The longer you neglect a crack, the more likely it is to worsen and become irreparable. It’s always better to catch and fix a problem before it becomes too big to handle. Here are some steps for repairing your violin.
One of the most common issues that you may have with your violin is a crack. If you have a violin that has a crack that you want to get fixed, then you’re in luck because this article will go through all the steps for how to fix a cracked violin. The first step is to prepare for the fix. You’ll need to determine the severity of the crack and then remove any sawdust or debris from the surface of the violin.
Then you can seal up the crack with glue and let it dry and set overnight. Next, use a filler to fill in any extra space around the crack and polish up your violin.
Related Article: How to Fix A Stripped Guitar Strap Screw
Prepare for the fix
First, you’ll need to remove the strings from your violin. The next step is to clean your violin’s body with a soft cloth and some rubbing alcohol. This will help remove any dirt or grime that could be contributing to the problem.
Next, check for any loose parts of the violin that may be causing the problem. If there are any, tighten them back into place or replace them if they’re worn out or broken.
Finally, once you’ve done all of this, carefully apply some cyanoacrylate glue (super glue) to the crack and press it closed with your fingers. Just make sure not to use too much glue as it can cause damage if it leaks through to other areas of your instrument.
If you want to ensure that your new repair sticks, you can saturate an area on one side of the crack with super glue and then wrap clear packaging tape over it for support for 24 hours before repeating on the other side of the line of fracture.
First, remove the strings from the instrument and place the instrument on its belly or back. This way, you can easily access the crack without needing to flip it over. Next, use your screwdriver to remove any nearby pegs from the f-holes.
Be careful not to scratch them with your screwdriver as this may cause further problems down the line. After removing those pegs, grasp either side of the crack with your hands and push them apart until they release from each other. You should be able to feel when they are released as there will be an audible pop or snap noise.
Once released, use your file or rasp to reduce the size of the crack by filing down either side at an angle of about 10 degrees. Next up is gluing it together. Take some wood glue and spread it on both sides of the cracks with your fingers; then align them back together (it should stay put on its own).
Apply pressure for 30 seconds before releasing pressure and allowing it to dry overnight at room temperature (do not heat glue). Again, do not apply too much pressure as this can create more cracks! As mentioned earlier, take care not to scratch your f-holes while using your screwdriver so that they don’t get damaged.
Determine the severity of the crack
The first step to repairing your violin is determining the severity of the crack. There are two degrees of cracks, “hairline” and “through-and-through.” Hairline cracks are generally difficult to see with the naked eye. These can be repaired by filling them with resin or glue.
A through-and-through crack goes all the way through the instrument and will need to be repaired by a professional. It’s also important to determine whether or not the crack has weakened the integrity of your instrument. If you suspect that the crack has done structural damage, then this is a good indicator for serious concern.
Remove any sawdust or debris
The first thing you should do is remove any sawdust or debris. This will help the adhesive to adhere better to the violin.
**Dampen a cloth with water and gently clean the instrument from the inside out, removing any sawdust or debris from the crack.
**Use a small brush or cotton swab to remove any gunk that might be stuck in the crack as well as anything that may have been loosened by your cleaning process.
Seal up the crack with glue
The first step to repairing a violin with a crack is to seal up the crack with glue. The goal here is to repair the surface and stabilize the area, which will then help you fix the problem at its core.
To seal up a violin crack, first clean out any excess debris from the inside of the crack with a cotton ball and nail polish remover. Once you have cleaned out as much as possible, squeeze glue into the crack and use an applicator stick to spread it around to fill in as much as possible. You can also cover all of the inner edges of the instrument with glue before spreading it out farther if there are any large gaps or spaces that need filling in.
Once you have filled in all of the gaps and spaces with glue, let it dry for about one hour before continuing to work on your instrument.
Let it dry and set overnight
If you have a small crack in your violin, you should leave it to dry for at least one day before fixing it. Violins are made of wood and water can cause the instrument to swell and crack further. For a larger crack, let the violin set overnight before doing anything else.
The drying process will ensure that your instrument doesn’t warp or crack further while you’re working on the problem at hand.
Use a filler to fill in extra space around the crack
The first thing you want to do is fill in any extra space around the crack with a filler. This will prevent the crack from spreading and protect the violin from further damage. You can use many different types of fillers, such as wood filler or epoxy. When choosing your filler, you want something that dries quickly and is easily sandable.
Fillers are relatively inexpensive and are available at most music stores. They come in various colors, so you should have no trouble finding your desired shade. You will want to apply a thin layer of filler all along the length of the crack.
Smooth out the filler with sandpaper
Once you have the filler in and smoothed out, it’s time to sand it down. You can use rough-grit sandpaper for this step. Sanding the filler will smooth out any rough surfaces and give you a nice, even surface.
Polish up your violin.
The first step to repairing a crack in your violin is to polish it up with a good violin polish. Violin polishes will help seal the surface of the instrument and make it look great again. It’s also an easy way to remove any dirt, grime, or oil that may have accumulated on the surface of the instrument. Simply rub a bit of polish into the cracks and then wipe off any excess or leftover residue with a cloth.
Can a cracked violin be fixed FAQS
A violin crack is a hairline fracture in the wood of the instrument.
If you notice a hairline crack, it’s best to contact your local luthier as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Cracked violins are a common occurrence. They happen to all kinds of violins, both old and new, and are usually caused by an impact, by drying out or by the owner’s reaction to the crack.
The good news is that most can be fixed quite easily. If you find yourself with a cracked violin, there are a few different methods you can use to fix it. First, identify the severity of the crack. If it’s just a hairline crack that doesn’t go through the violin, then you don’t have to do anything. If it’s a hairline crack that does go through the violin, then you can use glue to seal it up. If it’s anything more than that, then you will need to do more work. Once you’ve determined your course of action, follow these steps to fix your violin:
1) Prepare for the fix
2) Determine the severity of the crack
3) Remove any sawdust or debris
4) Seal up the crack with glue
5) Let it dry and set overnight
6) Use filler to fill in extra space around the crack
7) Smooth out the filler.
