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Filling Les Paul neck chip
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10137&t=44893		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Triocd [ Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Filling Les Paul neck chip
I just bought a Les Paul Studio with an eraser-sized chip in the back of the neck. The chip is down to bare mahogany and maybe half a millimeter or more thick. Thankfully it is hardly noticeable when playing, but I wouldn't mind filling it. I'm nearly certain it's a nitrocellulose finish and it's gloss black.

Image


My options:

Superglue, but will this dry cloudy and white?

Black aerosol spray lacquer applied with a toothpick?
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Su ... cquer.html

Touch up markers in black and then clear?
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Su ... rkers.html

Any recommendations??? Thanks!
Author:  StevenWheeler [ Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Filling Les Paul neck chip
Lacquer burn in sticks. Stew Mac has a kit, you can also source them at Mohawk finishing products.
Author:  B. Howard [ Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filling Les Paul neck chip
Yes I use burn in sticks for these types of repairs. Black burn in with some clear lacquer over top so it can be buffed properly.

FWIW, black is one of the worst colors to touch up.......anything at all in the repair that is not black will show up like neon.
Author:  Triocd [ Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Filling Les Paul neck chip
Ok guys, I ordered a burn in stick in black from stewmac and some gloss spray lacquer. I don't have a burn in tool but I'm going to try heating it up with a piece of hot stainless steel and guid the liquid stuff into the chip. Again, I'm not looking for a professional flawless job, I'm just looking to fill the hole and if it comes out clean looking that will just be icing on the cake. I plan to fill the hole about 90% of the way with the stick and finish the rest with multiple coats of lacquer. Sand it with fine grain paper and call it good.

Am I on track here?
Author:  B. Howard [ Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filling Les Paul neck chip
I use an old stainless steel butter knife with the end cut off for my burn in knife. I heat it over a propane torch set on low. You will fill the dent in above level and sand it back then refinish the area over and around it with fresh lacquer.
Author:  Triocd [ Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filling Les Paul neck chip
Should I build up with multiple small layers of lacquer drops to her several days or is it fine to fill the chip in one shot? Thanks for the help
Author:  Bill Braske [ Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Filling Les Paul neck chip
Wow. I've got the exact same crater in my Les Paul Traditional. You coulda told me that was a pic of my guitar.

Anyway, on my guitar, the finish looks black, but if you take it out in the sun you can see that it's very dark brown and you can see the grain through it. I'd suggest checking yours before you commit to a color. Even on mine, black may still be the best way to go.

I did not know about this burn in method, and you can bet I'll check into it at Stewmac. Hell, they've already got most of my kids' inheritance...
Author:  dzsmith [ Wed Jan 14, 2015 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Filling Les Paul neck chip
Are you certain the guitar finish is lacquer?
I'd just try filling in the dent and minimize any repair or spraying outside of the dent.
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