Lacquer chip repair - Drop fill with more lacquer or use super glue?

[CMH (OH)]

Refin gurus please chime in here.

I have a few chips in the lacquer over the binding and need some advice from those with some direct experience in fixing it.

I have read you can easily drop fill the chips in with lacquer and then sand them flush, and have also read that super glue is also just as effective, but much easier and faster for doing this.

Which one would you do? Can anyone provide any insight from experience?

Thanks,
Chris

[sully]

Your research is true. You can fill it back up with lacquer, which can take a while, or use CA glue.
The benefit of CA glue is that it's faster. However, it's not going to melt in with the lacquer, and you'll have slight witness lines. How much that bugs you will depend on how OCD you are. You can build it back up with lacquer, but lacquer, as it builds, will build in a concave manner and will take more time to build back up to level. However, it will melt with the existing finish, so the time may be worth it.

What I would do depends on the situation. Is it my guitar and I'm not too particular about witness lines? If so, then I'd CA it. If it's someone else's guitar and I'm 100% sure it was shot in lacquer, I'd give them the option and do what they ask.

Sully

[CMH (OH)]

Thanks Sully. Was kinda hoping you would be the one who replied.

It is mine and I am kinda OCD, but am probably willing to try one of the smaller chips (especially since it is over the white binding anyway, which would likely make the witness lines that much harder to see)

I have a couple of chips to contend with, so maybe I'll give it a shot on one of them and see how it works out

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated!

Cheers,
Chris

[sully]

No prob. This should help:

[john.w.lawson]

WOW that was super!!What about hot shot glue?

[CMH (OH)]

Ha!

I was half expecting one of your videos, Sully. You should do a finish spot-repair one sometime.

Cheers,
Chris

No prob. This should help:

[sully]

Eh, I think Dan does an okay job.

[CMH (OH)]

Eh, I think Dan does an okay job.

I reckon

[DonP]

weird - double post.

[DonP]

I had him drop fill my Classic Premium Plus when the tailpiece dented it when changing strings. He's the man! I haven't been there for 8 years. I should bring him some of my old LP's I want refretted but keeping the binding nibs. He's an easy 3 hour drive across 32 over to Athens.

I'd say to use laquer fill for laquer, and super glue for all other (harder) finishes.

[Learn Guitars]

Dan has a bunch of great tips out there.