Filling Spruce

[Scott Durham]

I am ready to finish my first guitar build. While sanding the rosewood, I masked the sound board using 3M masking tape labeled "For Delicate Surfaces". Never the less, being very careful, a small area lifted some of the wood when I removed the tape. What is the best way to fill the spruce? Thanks.

[ken cierp]

The only way to invisibly fill light wood like spruce is to drop fill with the top coat chemical. Make a small puddle of the finish material on a piece of glass --- let it dry until its a gel consistency. Lay the gel in the void and let it dry thoroughly then scrap it flat with a single edge razor blade. This is done after the finish is applied. It may take several application since there will be shrinkage.

Oh -- in the future, warm the masking tape with a blow drier prior to removal.

[Scott Durham]

Thanks Ken

Well Duh on the hair dryer. I had read all the warnings about tape on spruce but it happened anyway.

[Herman]

When putting tape on spruce, I always hold the sticky side of the tape against my shirt. That way it grabs some fibers and it won't hold that tight.

Or wipe the spruce with laquer before taping, It will give a harder surface that is not so vulnerable anymore.

2x2ct Herman

[Tim Benware]

I ALWAYS spray my top with a couple thinned coats of vinyl sealer before sanding the back and sides. It rather easily sands off during finish sanding. Little if any tear out of wood fiber with binding tape.

[Scott Durham]

Thanks, everybody