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Bridge glue up went sideways on a concert uke. Long story short, I am refinishing the top. Nitro finish, which looked fantastic. Koa all around. This is my first top refinishing job, and I’m looking for any tips from those who have experience. Top is stripped, sanded, pore filled, and ready for finish. Sides are still buffed out nicely. My biggest concern is shooting the edges. Tips for taping the sides? Thanks.

-Aaron

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Aaron Craig

If it's 100% nitro just take it easy shooting around the edges and let it melt together. You can mask it, but you run the risk of getting buildup at the edge of the tape. Just shoot from the center of the top out to the edge. Lay it flat, and go around it or just turn it as you shoot. When it's hard and ready to sand, you can blend it all together.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

If you tape right up to the edge, you will get a bit of a ridge there but it is easy to sand off and blend in when buffing the top.

Is this a total nitro body? If so, tape up to 1/16” of edge. It will blend nicely. Wet sanding with mineral spirits and ur good.

Yep, nitro only finish.

Thanks all for the assistance!

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Aaron Craig

When doing the leveling (in my case, with wet paper and mineral spirits), leave the body papered and taped up good. Only when you are sure you will not have to do anymore serious leveling, remove paper & tape and gently work the edge. I have found a cheap and effective product in something called freezer wrap at Walmart. Huge sheets, plasticized on one side.

What Barry and Mike said. I just reshot a classical top ala same situation. You'll get feathering around the edge since you are focusing the spray on the top plane. A bit of wet dry will knock down the edge on the side. Just kiss the sides at the binding when buffing the top out. You'll never know. One other thing. I prefer using 3M painters tape (or the StewMac white, low tack tape). Tape up right before spraying. Then remove. It won't be an issue on damaging finish. Just as a matter of habit I prefer not to keep tape on the finish long.

Andy