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On my second build (I've done 4 so far and starting #5) I used cocobolo for the rosette. When I put on the Z-poxy it bled. I managed to overcome that (to some degree). So, I know cocobolo bleeds. I've used rosewood and lacewood (which turned out very nice) and I got no bleeding. I'm getting ready to use claro walnut and I expect it not to bleed. What about african blackwood? ... ebony? ...any others tend to bleed?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I am certainly no expert, but I bent Madagascar RW bindings and they "bled"- left some residue on my steel bending slats.

Glenn

I would expect it out of every single flavor of Rosewood on the planet...

I might be careful with about any of the oily tropical woods...

Then you got the regular problem with anything Dark -- dust staining stuff... Ebony is famous for its black dust getting on *EVERYTHING*

Good luck

John

The best bet is test a piece of the wood with whatever finish you are using. If it is going to bleed into a lighter wood then carefully coat the bleeding wood with the epoxy. Masking tape may help on things like maple bindings or the sound board. Then remove the tape, let the epoxy dry, sand lightly and reapply the epoxy over the whole piece, bindings and all. You have it sealed so there should be no problem. (epoxing the top is optional. I only do it with cedar and flamed redwood.)

Also be careful wiping the wood with naptha or alcohol. That will cause bleeding. (don't use naptha if you are planning a water based finish, unless you use it before you seal with epoxy. I would still just use alcohol)

Joe

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Bloodwood



seriously

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

PADAUK... Bleeds like crazy and the dust gets everywhere...

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Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

Walnut and ebony don't bleed, but ebony dust does get everywhere. Generally, it's easiest to just scrape lightly with a razor after you're done messing with the ebony to take the dust off of lighter woods. It doesn't penetrate very deep at all.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

For bleeding woods I spray a light coat of blond shellac on them.
I spray it on because wiping would cause bleeding.
You can use spray can shellac but beware !
it's mostly thinner and to thick a coat will draw the oils out of the oily woods and bleed onto tops & such .
After it's dry you can apply any finish over it without bleeding.

Mike

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Mike Collins

I agree

Shellac sealing keeps the oils from inpregnating lighter woods. still will require some scraping back aft the fill is complete

I don't know which woods bleed, but I know which parts, my FINGERS!

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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Padauk can bleed. Washcoat of dewaxed shellac can prevent this.

Black Walnut is an interesting one. While I haven't had trouble with bleeding per se, it will stain your hands (and other things too, I'm thinking) something fierce if you get the sawdust on them.