Here's our current approach and we remove and reinstall bridges daily.
1) Use or make a thick cardboard shield with a cut-out the exact shape of the bridge. Cover the shield in a quality, thick foil (reflective side up...).
2) View the gutiar top sighting from the head stock down the neck and note the runout direction(s) for the two halves of the top. I typically put a piece of masking tape on one side with an arrow drawn on it in the direction of the runout for that half of the top. This is important because inserting pallet knives against the runout can result in lifting fibers and digging into the top. Of course the other side of the half has the oppisite runout direction but you know this.
3) Install the protective/reflective shield and then use some of that reflective duct type tape, the shiny stuff... reflective side up and bridge the gaps in the shield onto the bridge top. It's OK to cover the peremeter of the bridge with the goal being to protect the finish on the top.
4) We use a 250 watt heat lamp (never leave unattended...) and heat up the bridge from the top moving the lamp from side to side to get the wings hot too. Avoid too much heat and you will know when you have enough heat in the next step.
5) Paying attention to runout direction insert pallet knives with the runout and I typically start at an area already lifted a bit. What you want to feel is the glue being a gummy mess. If you hear crackling either the glue has not softened or you are lifting fibers. If it needs more heat heat some more. Also after working an area with the pallet knives you may want to reheat a bit too to get that gummy feeling back.
6) Work carefully and deliberately again never leaving that lamp unattended when on. Water is not required especially with a recently glued on bridge.
7) With some patience and understanding the feel of softened glue and keeping it at the right temp to soften the glue it's very possible to remove cleanly with no lifting fibers or top damage.
8) If your pallet knives have never been used before consider taping off the collars that can scratch the top when one is not careful.
That's it, easy peeze and I love the smell of old, stinky HHG in the morning. In fact I typically remove bridges in the mornings because I am cold and the lamp heat feel great.
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