IV kit

[danoNC]

I'm almost finished with my first IV kit and was ready to begin polishing out the finish. Today I put the mando outside in the sun for ~10 minutes on each side (I thought this might help the TruOil finish cure more quicky; in retrospect maybe not the smartest idea). When I went outside to get the mando, I noticed that a separation of about 1-2mm had developed between the top plates. The gap runs from about 1 inch above the base to about 1 inch below the f-holes (about 3 inches total). I guess the question is: Do I complete it as-is, try to repair the seam, or just get a new kit and start all over? Thanks for any input!
Dan J

[Antlurz]

10 minutes? 1 to 2mm?

Wow....

[danoNC]

The seam had actually appeared to "change" over the last week or so. I really wasn't sure if there was separating beginning to happen or not. When I started finish sanding the top, I noticed that one side of the seam was still shiny. When I looked closely, it looked like one edge of the seam might be a bit higher (and of course, by dragging my fingernail across it I could feel that it was a bit higher). So maybe the heat from the sunlight was enough to open it up even more.
DJ

[danoNC]

Well, after letting it sit for 24 hours, the gap hasn't closed up any. So I think I'll try to stabilize the seam with Titebond and clamps. Or would low viscosity super glue be better.....

[Bill Snyder]

Is the seperation at the glue joint in the top plate? If it is introducing a different type of glue will most likely fail.

[danoNC]

The separation is in the glue joint of the top plate. I'm assuming (although maybe incorrectly) that the original glue was Titebond or similar.

[OlderThanWillie]

Why not talk to the person you purchased it from? They may have suggestions or possibly may replace it.

[violin2233]

Replacing a defect is never a problem with me. Due to the hard work already put into this kit I would open it back up and patch the seam underneath and fill the opeaned seam if you feel that it will not close. Due to the location of the open seem that patch shouldn't harm the tone.