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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | I see lots of postings re using superglue/cyano to fill finish cracks. I'm guessing that not all superglues are equal. What kind is recommended? I have some cracks behind the neck/headstock which I'd like to smooth out. |
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Joined:
June 2012
Posts: 2333
Location: Pueblo West, CO | I use ZAP products for my guitars mainly because that's what I've got on hand. Hot Stuff is good. So is Bob Smith Industries.
For finish cracks I would use the thin variety so it will wick down into the cracks. For cracks that have a gap that need to be filled, I would use the medium variety.
I would not use accelerator on any finish-related gluing because it will discolor the CA, even to the point of making it white and powdery.
Stay away from department store glues like SuperGlue, etc.
Edited by DanSavage 2014-12-30 9:36 AM
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Thanks Dan. There's a few chips of finish missing, the area of half a small fingernail so I do need a bit of gap filling. I think I can get this one shipped to me http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zap---Gap-Medium-1oz-bottle/dp/B0006NAQEG/r...
Edited by sycamore 2014-12-30 9:49 AM
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Heres a photo
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | For small chips around the headstock or neck, non-glare clear matte nail polish works great (if you can find it). This is the type of nail polish that guys like Trump used to use. Nail polish rises and will fill even with the surrounding catalyzed polyester used on the Ovations.
As to cracks, Kim had discussed with me years ago to use either water solulble glue or CYA to file and sand (yes, you can sand the catalyzed polyester without removing the finish) with very find grit. StewMac offers three levels of CYA and sanding pads from 2,000 to 12,000 grit. StewMac says you can use 2,000 on an Ovation but I use 3,200 or higher.
Advantage of the water soluble glue is that you can mix acrylic paint if matching the color of the finish...I mix the glue and paint on an area near the crack and when finished, just wipe it off. I had written a more lengthy explanation that can be found in the FAQ section.
I still have a CL 6759 dark sunburst that was covered with CYA when I got it (all over the top, even had palm and finger prints), Kim told me that I could remove all of it with CYA remover with out damaging the finish...worked great and was also able to 'remove' (at least now you can't see them) six lower bout finish cracks and almost hide a larger one up the side (can only see it from the right angle).
This advice is only for US Ovations...not sure of the finish for Celebs. As far as I know, Martin uses nitrocellulose lacquer for full gloss, if other than gloss, catalyzed lacquer. Gibson uses nitrocellulose lacquer. CYA may not be the best to use.
For a 1986 Wurlitzer 12-string (made by Welson in Italy), used the water soluble glue mixed with acrylic paint on the pack where it had severe cracks from hanging in an Arizona pawn shop - sealed the cracks and matched the finish. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4067
Location: Utah | StewMac thin is perfect for filling cracks. As Dan said, don't use any grocery store glues, use something from a hobby store or from StewMac.
Acetone will dissolve CYA glue. So if there is some roughness after you've filled the crack you can wipe a paper towel soaked in Acetone along the crack to smooth out the CYA. This should be safe for your USA O finish but not guaranteed for any other brand finishes.
The StewMac finishing pads are very good. Even the finest grits cut well. For the drop fills you may want to cut strips of fine sandpaper and finger sand as demonstrated in this video. http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Finishing/Fixing_a_s...
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | Trying again with the photo. What do you all recommend based on this? Photo actually looks worse than reality
Edited by sycamore 2014-12-30 3:31 PM
 (2014-12-30 18.01.56.jpg)
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 2014-12-30 18.01.56.jpg (114KB - 0 downloads)
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The stewmac is good. I like the medium with a brush. I've also been using the Krazy glue from the grocery store also with a brush. Mostly I use it for my nails but it works good on all things, I can't tell the difference tween Krazy and stoomac. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | In progress: The chips have filled well with Loctite. Once I'm happy with those I'll try the finer cracks using thin stuff. Theres a great vide on on Stewmac that you might have seen with a good tip on using a razor blade to remove excess before sanding
http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Finishing/Fixing_a_s...
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | All filled succesfully and it all feels smooth. Some cracks are still visible as the repair is lighter in colour than the surroundings. Any suggestions on darkening them a bit (maybe should have applied dye before filling???)
Edited by sycamore 2015-01-22 7:16 AM
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Joined:
December 2014
Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | Question for Tony and FlySig? I bought a 1112 that has not a scratch on it, but it has what I am assuming is Superglue type residue all around the bridge, which I am also assuming was reset. Can I really get the residue off the face with the fingernail polish remover, and it won't hurt the finish????
Thank you in advance for you help! 
Nancy |
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October 2005
Posts: 4067
Location: Utah | Acetone dissolves superglue but has no effect on the factory gloss finish. Just to be sure, test a small inconspicuous spot. |
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Joined:
December 2014
Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!! I have to run out and get some remover - this guitar is spotless other than that glue mess!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!! (Doin' the Happy Dance!!) |
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What superglue
