Re: Patching hole in Accordion

"John C" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I have a question.  I have an old accordion that was butchered by its
> prior owner when he installed a microphone in the reed chamber.  He
> drilled a hole in the top right under the chin for the 1/4" mic socket
> and two holes in the front for the volume and tone controls.  He
> aparently did not realize that without a plug in the socket, that he
> had a 1/4 inch hole in his air chamber.  I have removed the junk mic
> that was in it and am left with three 3/8 inch holes in the box.  The
> question is, what is the best way to plug/repair them.  The celuloid
> is a pearlized cream color.  Is there a filler that can be used or is
> it possible to obtain small pieces of celuloid to glue in?  I thought
> about epoxying a small wood plug in the hole and then painting it to
> match.  Is this advisable or is there a better solution.  It is not a
> particularly good accordion - a less expensive student model and I am
> just fixing it up for my stepson to get started with.
>
> Thanks for suggestions,
>
> John C.
This might not be state of the art, but here is what I do. Plug the holes
with dowels and glue. Then use Bondo to make a smooth place. Go to the
Beauty Supply store and mix up nail polish to match and paint with that.
Such as pearl color. It might be necessary to add a trace of dry yellow
artists pigment. or I have used Testors paint to color it.  The nail polish
will be higher than the surface but will shrink down level as it cures in a
few days. When hardened it can be buffed at very low speed and polished and
re-applied as needed until you are satisfied with the result. It will
dissolve the celluloid finish if spread around a lot. It is actually
celluloid dissolved in whatever solvent including acetone, etc..