Summer shipping help

The Achilles' Heel of Luthiery
Post Reply
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Summer shipping help

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

How do you minimize heat damage, like softening, to finishes like shellac, when shipping in summer?
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
jread
Posts: 560
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:52 am
Contact:

Re: Summer shipping help

Post by jread »

I think I am going to be the recipient of this information. I've just completed a french polish. here are my current thoughts and I look forward to any ideas for feedback.

Shellac french polish completed
1 week, take down and buff, string up and hang back up
2-4 weeks untouched

This guitar needs to go from Indianapolis to Oklahoma in the summer heat. It is 11 hours by car and if not for covid, I would definitely hand deliver it. Any opinions on whether ground shipping a 1 month old french polish could ruin it? Would trying to find fair weather windows for shipping be wise or just take no risks and wait many more weeks?
Morecowbell
Posts: 280
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:51 am
Location: Fishers, IN

Re: Summer shipping help

Post by Morecowbell »

Interested party as well. I've had shellac finishes on furniture soften in the heat in the past, its a real concern.

Using expedited shipping, like 2 day or overnight, might prevent it from being in one place for very long, But $$$. I know a UPS driver, will ask when I see him.
"Facts seldom sway an opinion." - John Hall
"The difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference." - Van de Snepscheut
jread
Posts: 560
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:52 am
Contact:

Re: Summer shipping help

Post by jread »

hah. i am a little crazy so don't tempt me to call a refrigerated mover.. I'll just wait it out if I have to.
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Summer shipping help

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

I have a commissioned build that will be done in the next month, so I'm in need of any information that anyone could share. The only thing I can think of is expedited shipping.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Summer shipping help

Post by tippie53 »

you should be fine
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
ruby@magpage.com
Posts: 1564
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 8:03 am
Location: Chestertown Maryland

Re: Summer shipping help

Post by ruby@magpage.com »

At it's peak, Martin was completing one guitar a minute. These were shipped all over the country - world even. I know they don't use shellac, but lots of instruments are moving all the time and we haven't heard of a soft shellac pandemic

Ed
Ed M
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Summer shipping help

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

Thanks John.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
Post Reply