GOURD CARE - Notes from Anne Blankenship of The Gourd Connection:
The Shell
Your drum was made from the organically farmed dried fruit of the gourd vine. Each gourd is unique -its colors, patterns, blemishes, insect bites, and weathering are normal and will not affect the sound or strength. Gourds are very fragile, but with careful handling your drum will last a lifetime - and more! Always use a pale (protective pad) with your drum, and never lift or carry it by the puka (hole) in the heke. Insects love gourds, so inspect often and if needed, clean and add a few drops of Tea Tree or Eucalpytus oil to discourage further infestation.
We strongly recommend putting a finish product on the gourd after you have completed your carving, woodburning, or other artwork. If the shell has some porosity, you will notice an improvement of sound and amplification after it has been finished.
Any clear acrylic or polyurethane product, either spray or brush-on, will work well, and has the advantage of needing no maintenance. We do not recommend floor or furniture waxes or polishes (Future, Pledge, etc.), but furniture oil (teak, tung, lemon) and of course kukui nut oil are all good products but will need periodic re-application.
The Finish
If your gourd has an acrylic or polyurethane (light or heavy gloss) finish, all you'll need to do is dust periodically to maintain the luster. If the finish cracks or rubs off (a rare occurence), "sand" the area smooth with a soft fiber pad or 000 steel wool - don't use sandpaper; wipe with a tack-cloth, and then spray or brush on a fresh coat of (any brand) clear or semi-gloss polyurethane or acrylic. If your drum has an oil finish you will need to maintain it periodically. Lemon, teak, or tung oil are all good choices.
The Interior
Drums made from recently harvested gourds will often have some white patchy membrane still adhering to the interior walls. Over time this material will slowly slough off and should be removed to prevent loss of sound. A bent wire coat hanger is an excellent tool to help loosen the material. Empty over newspaper and discard. If you find a seed, plant it!
Try to keep the drum out of extreme temperatures if your climate is very hot and/or cold. The gourd itself will probably be fine, but you may notice some "checkering" of the outer shell or of the finish. If this happens, you may want to sand off the finish and apply a fresh coat - but wait for better weather first! If you live in a very dry climate, every once in a while throw in a damp (not sopping) sponge overnight. This will protect the shell from becoming brittle. Add a few drops of Tea Tree or Eucalyptus oil to discourage insects.
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