Official Luthiers Forum!

After reading Collin's post about drop fills, I decided to post this on a new thread:
I have discovered an excellent filler for tiny gaps like in the rosette and the binding/ purfling: West Systems 406 Colloidal Silica, mixed with lacquer- maybe 20% by volume. What once took many drop fill sessions now takes only one or two. The silica in solution slightly thickens the lacquer and is absolutely invisible. I've done drops on sealed wood and under/ between lacquer, but never as a final repair- always with multi coats of lacquer (WB or Nitro) on top. I've used it in both lacquer and epoxy for drop fills (epoxy for tear outs).

If you use the silica, use a respirator because its light as air and just floats EVERYWHERE- especially opening the round box, which creates a monster in-rush of air with silica exploding into the air.

I don't expect it will work with CA, I get distracted every time I go to test it.

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Measure Twice,

Karl Borum

Thanks for the info. I’ve had a jar of similar on the shelf for decades, but I didn’t see a use for it. I do now!