• Acoustic Repair

  Crappy Martin binding glue

  Posted by Tony Lewis Skypilot Guitar Repair on August 16, 2025 at 7:28 pm

  So, I’ve seen people having to deal with crappy binding glue on newer Martin’s. I have a D35 at 50 (2015) and the purfling has separated from the guitar body all the way around both the top and bottom of the guitar due to heat. Not only that but the binding has separated from the purfling in spots. The glue is still tacky and it’s almost like a thick stain as it has impregnated the top and sides, making it impossible to completely remove without altering the binding channel significantly. Naptha doesn’t do anything to it. Gums up sand paper. The only way to get it off is by patiently scraping. I’m using canopy glue which, so far, seems to be able to stick to the impregnated areas. I just watched a video where Scott St. Dennis glued on a bit of binding. And another with Bryan Kimsey but small fixes and not sure if the same Martin glue. This stuff is brown. Not water soluble. Has anyone dealt with this stuff?

  Tony Lewis Skypilot Guitar Repair replied 7 months ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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