Blocking the Sound Hole for Spraying

[Darryl Young]

How do you block the sound hole before spraying a finish? I've read that some folks use balloons which would work great......unless it busted. Doesn't seem that would be a good thing for the body but it might not be a big deal if you use a large balloon to minimize the pressure.

Any other ideas? I stacked folded dish towels inside mine then covered the top one with paper and it worked ok for spraying the shellac coat on the soundboard but I wouldn't want to use that for spraying the finish since there is nothing to hole the towels in place as you turn/rotated the body while spraying.

Thanks!

[kencierp]

Its easy to make a cap out a old plastic tin can lid slightly larger then the sound hole and a chunk of foam rubber. I just use crumpled paper -- we get end of the roll news print paper -- however the source has dried up.

[Tony_in_NYC]

I used a coffee can lid, plastic, and crumpled paper like ken said. Worked great.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

I just tape it from the inside, going around until there is a small square in the center, then cover that from the outside with tape.
Easy and it stays there until I peel it off.

Kevin

[tippie53]

My favorite method is to use an 1/2 pint deli cup and foam under that. This seals the top very well. Martin does it this way .

[Ken C]

I just wad up newspapers and stuff them in the soundhole. Easy and I have never ended up with overspray inside the guitar.

Ken

[Ben-Had]

TA DA.

[tippie53]

best way to block it out for sure