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Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone here has used zipflex; the flexile real abalone material developed by Kevin Ryan. I bought some strips well over a year ago and have used it on a rosette. It's great to work with, but unfortunately my rosette channel is slightly wide. I need something to fill the gaps and was hoping someone else has some tips as to what would work best. The top is german spruce.

Is your rosette already glued in?
Of not, you might be able to use some thin black purlfing material, like .020" around the existing purfling to fill the gap. I have done this and it looks "custom".

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Unfortunately, yes... it is already glued in. I thought it looked pretty tight, but it really isn't. I was thinking about clear epoxy or superglue but I'm not really sure.

where are the gaps? at the spruce/zipflex 'joint' or between zipflex and the bwb...

Hi Darren,

Mostly between the zipflex and the bwb

Fill the space with superglue.
When you are ready to finish, color over it over and blend in with a permanent black marker. You will be surprised with the result.
However, here is my disclaimer: proceed at your own risk, I will not be held responsible for adverse results.
I have done this will purflings around the body of the guitar and with rosettes to fill tiny voids.....it has worked for me.
Maybe try just a little area, like what would be under the fretboard and see how it looks. Good luck.

Kevin

Don't forget to seal the spruce before doing so, you will get some discoloration with the CA.

Yeah Ken, since the gaps are between the shell and the purfling, he should be okay, but still needs to be careful.

Kevin

Thanks! It'll be a while before I'm ready to do all the last prepping bit, but I'll let you know! Superglue sounds good.

northernlake wrote:Thanks! It'll be a while before I'm ready to do all the last prepping bit, but I'll let you know! Superglue sounds good.

It is not "good" sir, it is SUPER!!