
If you want to repair your guitar binding yourself, here are some tips:
- Remove the old binding from the guitar by cutting it off with a sharp knife and removing any residue with a wire...
- Clean the edges of the guitar where the binding is going to be placed.
- Apply glue liberally over the edge of the guitar and place new binding on top of it, pressing down firmly...
What is the best glue for guitar binding?
The best glue for guitar binding is wood glue that is resistant to humidity, but there are other options depending on the circumstance: When you are building a guitar from scratch, or from a kit, using CA (cyanoacrylate = super glue, gorilla glue) isn’t a problem, since you don’t need to worry about the finish just yet.
How do you remove CA glue from a guitar?
Remove the excess glue that will be squeezed after you press the binding against the binding shelf and the glue. In the case of the CA glue, this must be done relatively fast, but if you’re using it in the first place, you should be doing this to an unfinished guitar and expecting to do some sanding and finish work afterward.
What causes guitar binding to come loose?
This results in fine line cracks at the ends of the frets. If binding has seen considerable shrinkage or been subjected to humidity and temperature changes, the binding may come loose from the body or neck. The tight area of the waist is a very common spot for binding to loosen.
What is the best way to remove binding from an instrument?
Once the binding has been glued in the channel it must be scraped flush with the surface to provide conformity. I use small wood scrapers to remove the bulk of extra binding thickness. While this is a simple task when building a new, unpainted instrument, the process is far more difficult now that we are trying to avoid damaging the finish.

What glue is best for guitar binding?
The best glue for guitar binding repair is the Titebond II wood glue, it's a glue that resists humidity, which is the main cause for the bindings to peel away. It also allows you between 10-30 minutes before it starts to harden so you have enough time to clean the excess and finish the job.
How do you fix a loose binding?
How to Fix Book Binding: Loose Pages EditionGet the Right Products. For the best results with any type of DIY book repair, you need book or binding glue. ... Set the Loose Pages Aside. ... Apply Your Glue. ... Stick Your Pages Back on the Spine. ... Add Some Heavy Stuff and Let the Book Dry.
How do I fix my neck binding on my guitar?
1:283:25Easy binding repair on a Martin D-35 guitar - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet the butt end of it and the two ends will just melt right together I cut a little notch in theMoreGet the butt end of it and the two ends will just melt right together I cut a little notch in the binding to fit under that Fred. Even. I love this low tack tape because. You can use it on a finish.
How much does it cost to replace binding on a guitar?
The cost was $200. While the binding itself is not too expensive, it is labor intensive work. Epiphones and their fairly common binding issues always scared me a lot more than $200 dollars worth.
What glue is used for book binding?
PVA glue appears to be the best book glue, as it is non-toxic and acid-free. However, epoxy glue is also very popular for restoring books. You need to be sure that the glue you use is flexible enough and will not crack when the book is opened and closed multiple times.
Can I use Elmer's glue for bookbinding?
If you just want to try out bookbinding, you can certainly use basic school glue or Elmer's glue. They come in clear, white, and many different colors.
How do you glue a binding to a fretboard?
0:318:19Luthier Tips du Jour Mailbag 17 - Fretboard Binding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere are a couple ways I can do that I can use white glue yellow glue polyurethane glue epoxy aMoreThere are a couple ways I can do that I can use white glue yellow glue polyurethane glue epoxy a bunch of different types of adhesive would work here since I'm in a hurry today.
What is binding on a guitar neck?
Binding is the practice of taking a strip of material—typically vinyl—to line the outside of the fretboard. That material decoratively covers the end of the frets that press into the wood (otherwise known as the “tangs”) at the edges of the fingerboard.
What is guitar binding made of?
Found along the front, back, and sides of acoustic, hollow, and semi-hollowbody guitars, binding is commonly made of a wood, plastic, or fiber, and serves to strengthen the edges of the guitar, where the top and back meet the sides. Binding is also used along the edges of the neck where it meets the fingerboard.
Is Refretting a guitar difficult?
Performing a complete refret job is about as big as a job can be in guitar lutherie – but don't let that scare you away. If it's done poorly, you can usually salvage the job by pulling the frets again and giving it another try. It's an extremely valuable skill to have, and the core requirement for a perfect action.
Is Refretting a guitar worth it?
So, how much does it cost, and is it worth it? Refretting usually costs between $200 and $400, and it is worth it if you plan on playing that guitar. Especially if it is a more expensive one. Refretting cheaper guitars might not be a good idea since the whole procedure can cost more than you paid for the instrument.
Does Refretting a vintage guitar devalue it?
The new frets are installed . . new binding is applied, then scraped to once again create the nubs and the entire neck gets a refin. EDIT: However, it is worth pointing out that the rebinding and the refin will devalue a truly collectable vintage instrument even more so than a refret over the binding will.
Why are my bindings coming loose?
Here are the main reasons why your snowboard bindings come loose: Binding screws are not cross threaded. Sometimes screws aren't tightened properly.
Why do my bindings get loose?
3- Screws loose? Bindings have to deal with so much stresses on them that its not surprising that something will eventually work loose. You'll need to get into a habit of checking your kit on a regular basis to avoid something dropping off when you least need it. Screws coming loose is a common thing.
How do you fix a book that's falling apart?
Use fine sandpaper to even pages after repairing spines. If you have a book that will not be kept forever and the spine breaks, I find that a hot glue gun can fix it in a hurry and get it back into circulation. If you want to keep the book, then use liquid plastic to hold it together.
How do you stick books back together?
Apply a thin line of glue along the binding of the page in the book. Place a thin line of archival glue along the vertical edge of the page to which you'd like to adhere your loose page. The glue should be as close to the binding as you can get it. Make sure you're using an archival glue, which should be acid free.
What is guitar binding?
Guitar Binding Repair. Binding is found on many instruments and can be used along the outline of the top, back, peghead and fingerboard. Not only is binding decorative but it also serves to protect and seal the end grain of the wood.
Where are the cracks on guitar binding?
Cracking. A common area to see binding cracks is at the end of the frets. When fingerboards shrink due to dryness the frets may extend past the edge of the shrunken fingerboard placing pressure on the binding. This results in fine line cracks at the ends of the frets.
Why does my binding come loose?
If binding has seen considerable shrinkage or been subjected to humidity and temperature changes, the binding may come loose from the body or neck. The tight area of the waist is a very common spot for binding to loosen. If the shrinkage is minor the binding can sometimes be gently pushed back into place and reglued.
Why is my fingerboard cracking?
Loose binding is easy to snag and break. A fingerboard can shrink if humidity levels drop too low.
Why is my wood binding shrinking?
Shrinking binding can often be reglued if its condition is still solid. Extreme or fluctuating temperature and humidity levels can cause binding to loosen. Wood will expand and contract as the humidity changes, the more drastic the changes, the more stress to the glue joints.
Why use Titebond?
To avoid damaging the finish, Titebond is often used to repair small areas of loose binding after the channel and binding has been scraped. Binding loosened to factory seam at heel. Masking protects instrument from strong adhesives that damage finish.
Why is binding under the finish?
Finish Considerations. Because binding is under the finish, removing it will cause chipping of the finish along its edges. This is a consideration when choosing the proper method of repair. Instruments with thinner finishes may show far less evidence of a binding removal and repair than one with a very thick finish.
How to fix guitar binding that has dried out?
If your guitar has dried out, do not re-glue the binding until the instrument has been re-humidified. Using a room humidifier or dedicated guitar-humidifying device, bring the humidity level to between 40 to 50 percent. (For more details on this procedure, read “ Fighting the Humidity Battle .”)
Why is my guitar binding loose?
But before you reach for the Titebond, a word of caution: Extreme change in humidity is a primary cause of loose binding. When a guitar dries out , the wood and binding will shrink, causing the latter to crack and delaminate.
How to get glue out of fretboard?
Use a damp paper towel to wipe up any “squeeze out” or excess glue. Make sure the towel is only lightly damp. You don’t want any water seeping back into the glue joint. Now place the thin strips of painter’s tape over the binding to hold it flush to the fretboard and neck ( Photo 4 ).
How to glue fretboard to wood?
Apply the wood glue along the edge of the fretboard using either a small paintbrush ( Photo 3) or a putty knife. If you use the latter, wield it gently to avoid accidentally scraping the finish or wood. Once the edge of the fretboard is covered with glue, press the binding into place.
What is fretboard binding made of?
On antique guitars, fretboard binding might be made from ivory or bone, while wood and plastic are the most common types of binding materials used today. Both wood and plastic can shrink over time and pull away from the neck. Regardless of what the binding is made of, the repair isn’t difficult if you take your time and approach ...
What happens if you work too fast on a guitar?
Be very careful as you do this. If you work too fast, you might chip the finish on the neck or, even worse, cut into the binding or fretboard. The goal is to clean the gluing surfaces of the fretboard and binding without nicking or damaging them.
How long does it take for Titebond II to dry?
Allow the glue to dry overnight. Titebond II will dry in about four to six hours, but there’s no harm in waiting a day to make sure the glue is fully set and completely dry. This is especially true if you re-glued the binding on a humid day. Photo 5.
