Official Luthiers Forum!

Getting ready to use Zipflex for the first time. In watching their videos, they use CA to attach their binding and zipflex. I normally use Titebond for binding. If I am adding regular shell, I use the Titebond to install the binding with a teflon strip to create a channel and then come back and add the shell with CA glue later. The Titebond from the binding install seals the end grain of the top and prevents wicking.

My question is, with Zipflex, can I do this all in a single step with Titebond or do I need to use CA as they show in the videos? In other words, will the Titebond adhere to the rubber coating on the Zipflex?

Thanks,

I have used Zipflex on several guitars but I have always used CA. I would suggest doing a test by gluing an inch or so of Zipflex between two pieces of purfling with titebond. Give it a day or so then see what you have.

If it is a no-go then you can always do it with titebond and the teflon strip as before.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I always install the zipflex along with any purflings using CA glue, after sealing the channels with vinyl sealer. Then I install bindings with Titebond. I doubt that any white glue will stick to the rubber sides of the zipflex. The beauty (and speed) of zipflex is that you don't need the Teflon strip. I find that it is very easy and fast to tape in the zipflex and purflings and then wick in a bit of CA glue to hold them. After installing the wood bindings I go back and saturate the zipflex with more thin CA glue to lock it in and fill the gaps. Even if you could use TB to do it all in one step, I think you would find that saturating with CA glue is a good step. Otherwise, you will need to sand more than necessary to level out the tiny irregularities in the shell. I prefer to let the CA glue fill all these, and then level with minimal sanding to preserve the top layer of the shell as much as possible. This may sound like a lot of work but it is so much faster than the Teflon method, and the results are great if done correctly.

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It will probably be alright.

If you want to use titebond for your purfling as usual and elect to use super glue for the zipflex I would still use shellac to seal the channel just to be safe, just my $0.02. The advantage to using SG is that you can work a lot quicker and ensure things set in place as you go and we already know that it works. Slow setting epoxy works as well although I've not used it for that purpose.

I use fish glue for my bindings and zipflex. Glue it all at once no Teflon.

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guitarsbygiltzow.com

I have no problem installing the zipflex with purfling and plastic binding all in one shot using CA glue - I think this shot is a 6 piece installation:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/28912170698/in/album-72157688488198220/

Ed

Hi all.

First: Thanks for using ZipFlex!

Second: Just wanted to offer some clarification on the ZipFlex install process from our end: We recommend (as others have here) that the channel is sealed with shellac or vinyl sealer prior to using the Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue. If using Titebond (aliphatic resin), you just need to make sure you don't leave any glue on the TOP of the shell because Titebond is NOT optically clear, and it could make the ZipFlex look cloudy.

Blessings,

Kevin Ryan

But, u should flood the zipflex with CA, than sand off the thin layer on top. Not sure if everyone knows, but applying CA into end grain spruce can lead to some nasty yellow staining. Thus, seal the channel.

I would love to do a group buy again... seems last time I tried, response was underwhelming. Maybe fatigue? Of course, Kevin needs to agree.