The Steel Guitar Forum

I just saw that the 1/4" decorative strip on the front apron (the lower one) has detached itself and has exposed the bare wood where the 'mica ends.

For now I've secured it with a tiny piece of (almost) invisible scotch tape. Is there any special adhesive that I should use for a more permanent solution?

Was Santa messing about on my guitar last night while we slept?

A drop of super glue.
Erv

I like Devcon 5 minute epoxy. Comes in a plastic tube. You cut the end off, squeeze out and mix a small portion for 40 to 50 seconds, then apply a thin coat to what you want to glue. You can clamp the work or hold it in place with you fingers. It is dry enough to hold well in 5 minutes, but takes several hours to be fully set. I use it for many materials and it works well. Especially good for surfaces which are difficult to clamp. If any squeezes out, simply wipe off with a paper towel before it sets.

Thanks, you guys - that's a job for after Christmas. I appreciate the responses.

Good old fashioned contact cement would be my go to.
I used it to replace some mica on my guitar and it hasn't budged in 2 years.

I am suspicious of Superglue and feel that for any job there must be a "proper" alternative.

Charlie, I love your motto! Sometimes I think I know too much and not well enough

Merry Christmas!

Charlie Hansen wrote:Good old fashioned contact cement would be my go to.
I used it to replace some mica on my guitar and it hasn't budged in 2 years.

www.lowes.com/pd/Amazing-GOOP-CLR/3608696

This is all you'll need, believe me.. Its very good stuff.. Sets quickly and holds tight...

I'm told this is a poor choice however.

I've attempted trim and mica repairs many times. I would suggest you check the entire strip. If you're sure it's only loose on a small area on one end, probably just a bit of contact cement spread on the back side with a small brush, like an artist's tiny tip.

If it's coming up or loose anywhere else, you should pull the whole strip off, clean and re-cement both surfaces.

A small bottle of DAP contact cement is available at most hardware stores for a few bucks.

Superglue will work OK if you get it stuck properly, but if you ever have to pull off the entire piece, you'll have a glue knot there that's hard to get off once set.

Thanks, Jerry.

It dropped at one end but, of course, the adhesive has 'let go' for its entire length. It didn't fall to the floor because a tiny spot of adhesive was still clinging on at the machine-head end. As you suggest, it's probably better to redo the whole thing.

I'd always assumed the the strip was over the mica but it's not - under the strip is bare maple; that was a surprise.

Originally applied with Formica brand contact cement.

Now you know, Roger.

Bill

I have the same problem with my SKH Emmons . Looks like I will have to take the end plates off the guitar in order to do the job of re-glueing the top trim piece. The bottom trim piece is fine.

+1 for contact cement...

Clear Gorilla Glue seems to have done the trick. It was actually Mrs R who effected the repair - her hands are steadier than mine and it entailed the guitar laying on its back on the carpeted floor.

That's a contortion that's beyond me these days - I just provided the verbal encouragement.

What Charlie Hansen said. I worked at Kline and Performance guitars. Always used Contact cement, clean both surfaces with lacquer cleaner first. We even sanded the back of the aluminum strip then cleaned with lacquer thinner, gives the glue a rougher surface to adhere to. Never had any come loose that I know of. I recently bought a used Zum that the front top aluminum strip was loose. Not loose now.

Where could we buy new stripping?

For these kind of issues, luthier forums can be really useful.
Also StewMac might offer advice:
https://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?search=glue
https://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_R ... d_why.html