First, we make a casting. Before any repairs, a plaster casting is made. This supports the top while we work on it, and allows some reshaping of the arching when desirable.

The top is attached to a plywood support board.

Special metal foil protects the top from the plaster.

The top always looks really cool when coated with foil.

Posterboard makes a dam for the plaster.

Plasticene clay seals the foil to the posterboard.

A plywood backing supports the plaster cast.

The plaster is carefully reshaped to remove distortions in the arching of the violin top.

The posterboard is torn away when the plaster has set.

Next: The patches are fit and glued.

Home

Back to the beginning of the restoration