A chip on the inlay surface

**Avi Ziv** · Jun-12-2008, 10:07pm

I just sanded down the dry epoxy which piled up around the shell inlay and it looks great....except...that I discovered a small chip (or indentation) on the surface of one of the abalone pieces. I may have missed it when I was cutting or maybe even lifted off a small piece together with the epoxy when I was sanding/scarping. So while all the pieces are now completely flush with the headstock, you can feel the indentation when you run your fingers across one of the pieces. It's small but obvious when you touch it. I'd like to fix it somehow.

I suppose I could continue sanding down the whole headstock until I get rid of that one chip. But I can already see that sanding down abalone reveals different layers and it may or may not look good underneath. Are there any other ways? For example - can I fill the chip with a clear cement (CA? epoxy?) and then just sand down that piece? Would the cement dry clear enough to really act as a transparent filler? Any other suggestions?

Avi

**sunburst** · Jun-12-2008, 10:11pm

Originally Posted by (improziv @ June 12 2008, 23:07)

...can I fill the chip with a clear cement (CA? epoxy?) and then just sand down that piece? Would the cement dry clear enough to really act as a transparent filler?

Yes.
In fact, if it's very shallow, you can simply fill it with the finish.
I'd opt for the superglue fill, most likely, because it's so fast, sands fairly easily, is very clear, and sometimes epoxy can "roll" out of shallow depressions when you sand it.

**Avi Ziv** · Jun-12-2008, 11:34pm

Thanks John. I'll try filling with CA

Avi

**TomTyrrell** · Jun-13-2008, 6:49am

The only epoxy glues that are good for this application are Vigor Jeweler's Epoxy or Epoxy 330. Both are water clear and intended for bonding to glass-like and shell materials. They will take an excellent polish so pretty much disappear.

Unless you happen to have one of those products CA should be a good choice. Fresh, clear and give it way more time to cure than you think it should take before you start working it.