Superglueing MOP: to bare ebony or lacquer

[Fretbear]

When supergluing some thin MOP to an ebony peghead, which would be preferable, to the bare ebony or to a preliminary coat of fresh (still off-gassing) nitro-lacquer? I will be using thicker cyanoacrylate glue.

[big smiley guy]

Are you inlaying it? I've always done that before any finish was applied. I usually use a mixed combination of thin and medium CA because it will wick but dries a little slower and seems to not get as many bubbles.

[Fretbear]

Not inlay, overlay of very thin MOP.

[big smiley guy]

It's been my experience that super glue and ebony don't adhere very well. I've tried gluing ebony headstock veneers on with super glue (both medium and thick) and long after it has had time to cure you can peel the veneer off with your fingers. I don't know if it's the same with pearl but it's not something I would trust. Usually, I use epoxy to glue on the veneers because it adheres to ebony really well. Polyurethane glues to as well but that would work very good for your needs since it foams as it cures.

[Greg Mirken]

In this case I don't think it matters much. The glue is just going to keep the spray from blowing the pearl pieces off the peghead and onto the floor, right? The pearl is going to wind up embedded in the lacquer coats.

[Fretbear]

The glue is just going to keep the spray from blowing the pearl pieces off the peghead and onto the floor, right? The pearl is going to wind up embedded in the lacquer coats.

True, but I would still like the MOP to be well adhered. I'm thinking the ebony may tend to wick the superglue away. Has anyone had experience using superglue on lacquer?

[Rob Grant]

FWIW, I glue my homemade ebony binding (local timber) using CA ("superglue") and I've never had any probs with adhesion (including my bloody fingers!!!<G>)