Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Guys,
I just installed my first ZipFlex purfling and now I need to flood it with CA.
I was watching Chris Paulick's video "Installing Top Purfling" and he flooded
it with CA, it looked like he used a medium CA. Not sure though, it was hard to see.
I have thin, medium and thick.
My question is,
What viscosity is best ??

Gregg

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Gregg

Use thin CA...

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

+1

+2 for thin. It will 'wick' everywhere much more efficiently.

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I don't really like the term flood. The only one I've "flooded" some what flooded the inside also. A little goes a long way with thin CA. Also, a pipette works best and try to hold the guitar at an angle such that the glue won't go into the body.

Good Luck!

I just received a email From Kevin (Advanced Shell Technology) and the answer is medium, the following is part of his email.

"If you are using the ZipFlex shell purfling as one of the purfling elements, then you can apply a quick bead of Zap-a-Gap superglue (medium viscosity) onto the top of the ZipFlex (between the BWBs) to fill the gaps easily. I would not recommend the thinner Zap for this because it will just keep wicking in there and it may find a path into the interior of your guitar box."

Makes sense to me,

Gregg

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Gregg

+1 on medium.

+1 on medium.

I use medium CA too. Works like a charm.

Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

I use Starbond Thin. I use the term flood too...but not literally.

Michael

Greg,

This is from Ryan's site instructing us to seal the edges before gluing. I'm sure you know this but just wanted to add as a reminder.

How do I glue ZipFlex into the channel?
ANSWER | You can use your regular glue since you are ultimately gluing the shell to the channel. Cyanoacrylate (superglue) has been used for over 20 years by leading guitar manufacturers and individual luthiers and it is especially suited for ZipFlex. (Be sure to seal the ledges with vinyl or lacquer sealer before using superglue to attach purflings, otherwise the superglue will wick into the end grain of soundboards and make it darker.)

philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

Hey Guys,
I think it worked pretty well,
I used medium CA, once it totally cured, (three days) I sanded it flush with 150 then hit it with 400 and then 1200.
My thinking is this: If I can get that layer of CA as smooth as possible with a nice polish/shine then when the finish is applied the Zipflex should look great.
I slightly wet it once I finish with the 1200 and I thought it looked great !!
Gregg

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Gregg

You are right. That does look great. It gives a really nice crisp, clean look up against that black binding (ebony I presume?).
cheers
Mark