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Crack in top veneer
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=43200
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Author:  dzsmith [ Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Crack in top veneer

I glued my figured Maple top onto my A. Mahog body.
I ended up with a crack in te top, a bit wider than a hairline crack.
The top is about 1/4" thick.
I think the top must have shrunk while drying and I had the clamps too tight.
I masked on both sides of the crack and filled it with CA. As is, it's visible.
I plan to dye the top with a blue and green water based transtint.
I wonder if the dye will hide it, or is there some other method I should try?
Suggestions?
Thanks,
Dan
P.S. Figured Maple should not be fed into a planer. I had to placed the matched sides face down to hide the chunks the planer took out.

Author:  rtpipkin [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 12:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack in top veneer

I think the crack through the denser grain area will be less noticeable under dye and finish. The lighter area would stand out some though.

If you like a graduated color, maybe a hint of sunburst? Just enough darker color(black,blue) at the edge to blend the line in that light area. Depending on how dark you went, you could hide it pretty well I think. And since the burst would go around the entire guitar it would distract attention from the problem area. That may not be the look you want, just food for thought.

Author:  B. Howard [ Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack in top veneer

The split was likely caused by the stresses resulting from drying around that pin knot and set of inclusions that it is headed straight towards. Light colored woods like maple are a bugger to hide cracks and defects in. I use this product a lot for maple, http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200420 ... e-6oz.aspx Make sure to use this and not the water based stuff they make as it does not work quite as well. CA will light right up under dye or stain as the will not penetrate it or stick to it.. Won't disappear under a clear well either. A dark edged burst would be the best method of concealment now.

Author:  dzsmith [ Thu May 01, 2014 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Crack in top veneer

Thanks guys.
I'll do a dye on wood and follow up with tinted spray burst if necessary.
Dan

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