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I need some advice on my options to fix a dent on the headstock of a uke I am finishing up.

The dent is approximately 3/8” in diameter in the middle of the headstock, and about 0.007” deep.

A shellac finish (1 lb cut, 10 coats) has been applied.

The headstock has a mahogany veneer (1/32” thick) on it.

I’m thinking just plane/scrape/sand off the veneer, glue on another and refinish.

Seems to large for any fill. The finish eliminates attempting to steam it out. Is there something easier that I might be missing?

You are probably right, a new headplate and refinish may be in you future, but before I'd go there I would try the following.

I would remove the finish with solvent in the are of the dent, Then sand the same area around, and into the dent to remove the finish. Then give steam raising a chance. If it works you'l just have to refinish the plate. Good luck

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Steam should get through shellac (the heat melts it). Might as well give it a shot before sanding the whole headplate off. It will turn all white and gummy, but after it dries out you can sand back to bare wood and wipe on some fresh shellac.

Steam can accomplish a lot. It is worth a try. Soldering iron and a wet paper towel.

Steam my get the dent but will destroy the shellac.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Steam will turn the shellac white but should raise the dent (most of the way). Removing the finish with alcohol and a light sanding to smooth out the wood, then french polishing the headstock shouldn't be too painful. Steaming can have some amazing results. I have steamed badly crushed corners of furniture for an hour or more and seen them "grow" back to near their original shape, saturated them with thin CA, and retouched the finish to give them an as new appearance.

Since it is a new build and not a repair of an instrument that has been in service, saving the rest of the finish on the front of the headstock probably should not be a huge priority. It doesn't take much effort to get caught back up on the French polishing of just the headstock, after the repair is made. I would use some pure alcohol to get rid of the finish build on the front of the headstock, steam out the dent as much as possible, sand it to smooth things out, sand through the grits to where you start finishing, then just redo the French polishing of the front of the headstock. That feels a lot easier than replacing the whole headstock veneer.