superglue

[billkilpatrick]

i've bought a charango on ebay that shows signs of excess superglue near the bridge. it hasn't arrived yet and i hope it ain't so but i've spilled enough of the stuff to feel confident that i'm right in what i see in the photos.

anyone have any experience seperating two pieces of wood joined together with superglue without damaging one or the other?

thanks for your help - bill

[Dale Ludewig]

I work with superglue a lot and I can't tell you how to get it off with damage. But I do know one thing you shouldn't use: superglue solvent. It will ruin the finish pronto.
Dale

[sunburst]

Are you saying the bridge is glued to the face of the mandolin?
If so I'd say your choices are:
1. damage the finish
2. damage (ruin) the bridge

A hammer tap will probably pop that sucker right off of there taking some finish with it. If there's superglue on the top anyway, that could be your choice.
If you want to save and repair the finish, just cut the bridge off with a chissel or block plane, file the glued on part almost down to the finish, sand off the rest, rebuff the top, get a new bridge and fit it to the top.

[Brian T]

Try acetone. It may take a little time and could possibly soften the finish. A softened finish is much better than splintered wood. Acetone usually works.

[sunburst]

Acetone will disolve lacquer about as fast, if not faster than superglue. I wouldn't try it if the mando is lacquered.
If it has a catalized varnish, conversion varnish, or epoxy finish like some of the inexpensive Pac rims, it might work.

[billkilpatrick]

thanks for all your help. #it's a charango, by the way, not a mandolin. #i'll try and attach the composite photo that was posted on the ebay site. #(hope this works) if possible, have a look at the bridge close-up. #if you don't think it's superglue smeared over the face i'll be a happier man.


later...

the photo just doesn't seem to want to transfer. i'll wait till the instrument arrives and take a picture of it myself.

kind regards and thanks again for all your suggestions - bill