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I just sanded my classical. I have random gaps in the binding. The binding is EIR with a white maple strip for purling.

How do I go about filling these gaps? My first thought is to add a little glue and sand over the gap. I am concerned that this method will discolor the maple.

Thanks

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Guitars...One's too many...Twenty is not enough.

It happens.... what wood are the sides? Are the gaps only on the sides or top too?

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Doug-
Discoloration is always a problem for me with EIR. Sanding dust and glue can probably be scraped clean, but you should try to keep it away from the top.. I always had more problem with any kind of solvent-based operation, like finishing- 'bleeding' from EIR is pretty easy.

Hopefully some expert advice will be forthcoming....

In the meantime, it might be worth your while to glue up some scraps (if you have any leftovers) and do some testing. A few experiments with the actual materials are worth more than a lot of words.

John

Peter,

The sides and back are EIR. The gaps are on the sides and top.......I really screwed this one up.

I did better on my first and I found that more difficult (ABS and cement)....oh well, next time.

Thank you.

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Guitars...One's too many...Twenty is not enough.

Hey Doug. I had gaps on my first and ended up routing the binding off and doing it again( I think I eneded up doing everything twice..and #2 ain't going much better )..may not be an option for you, but I am glad I did, my gaps were caused by leaving out a purfling strip by accident, so the gap was quite evident, yours may not be that bad..good luck!!

Doug, personally I think Rosewwod is a pretty easy wood to fill the side gaps...the top may be trickier depending how wide the gaps are.
For the sides I would scrape the sides clean and then wipe some shellac on the purflings with a cotton swab, then fill the gaps with wood glue (titebond woould do) and place some rosewood on that area and gently work in with a finger or a piece of wood... leave rough and don't try to make it look nice. After its dry you can sand it flush and see if it needs repeating...

for the top I would need to see how bad it looks. You may have to use some wood slivers and glue. I found that liquid Gorilla HHG glue works great for gaps on the top.

Good luck,

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

For placing rosewood on the gaps I meant Rosewood dust....   

Miss that Edit button...

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I hear ya......I mss thet edti btn as wel.
Thanks for the advise. The gaps are not that bad actually.......just annoying. Time to go and fill!!

Take care.

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Guitars...One's too many...Twenty is not enough.

I have had this happen. I used a swab and applied lacquer over the bindings and purflings. Then I would just over fill the gap with the sanding dust from the sides, and then flow some thin CA over it. When dry, scrape it clean, and it works great!On the top side, I would apply sealer on the area around the top so no wicking into the top will occur. Scrape clean and should look fine.