Guitar binding is the small strip of plastic, metal, or wood that covers the seam between two pieces of a guitar body. This can be a tricky job to do without damaging the finish on your guitar. But with the right tools and know-how, it’s not as hard as it may seem. Here are some tips for how to tape off guitar binding: Clean off any dirt from the area you want to tape off. Peel off one end of the tape. Lay down a line of masking or painters tape (about 2 inches wide). Peel away the backing from the other end of the tape and stick it directly over your line so there’s no space between them. Make sure to press down firmly so you get a good seal before removing your hand. When you pull up on one side, pull in both directions so you don’t leave any residue behind.
Related Article: How to Clean Guitar Binding
What is body binding?
Body binding is an important part of guitar construction. It ensures the wood on the top and back of the guitar is compressed, making a more stable soundboard.
Body binding is an essential part of a guitar’s construction. It ensures the wood on the top and back of the guitar is compressed, making a more stable soundboard.
Tape off your guitar binding with painters tape to ensure a clean, easy finish.
1. Paint your body binding area with a sealant or primer of your choice (we recommend Fiebings Natural Finish Guitar Sealer). Allow it to dry fully before moving on to the next steps.
2. Cut strips of painter’s tape and apply them over your body binding, starting at one end and working your way across the surface of the guitar until you’ve reached the other side. Press firmly and evenly for best results. If necessary, use a small paintbrush or rag to clean up any excess moisture from any areas you missed.
Why do you need to seal the binding first?
Sealing your binding is an important step before taping it off to ensure a clean, easy finish.
1. Paint your body binding area with a sealant or primer of your choice (we recommend Fiebings Natural Finish Guitar Sealer). Allow it to dry fully before moving on to the next steps.
2. Cut strips of painter’s tape and apply them over your body binding, starting at one end and working your way across the surface of the guitar until you’ve reached the other side. Press firmly and evenly for best results. If necessary, use a small paintbrush or rag to clean up any excess moisture from any areas you missed.
How long does it take for body binding to dry?
Body binding takes time to dry, typically overnight. If you are in a hurry to use your guitar, you can wrap the body in aluminum foil and hold it in the dryer for 10 minutes on medium heat.
Check the area for dirt and debris
Before you start taping off your guitar binding, make sure to check the area for any dirt or debris. This will prevent a clean surface from getting a speck of dirt on it while you’re taping.
Lay down a line of masking or painters tape (about 2 inches wide)
1. Clean off any dirt from the area you want to tape off
2. Peel off one end of the tape
3. Lay down a line of masking or painters tape (about 2 inches wide)
4. Peel away the backing from the other end of the tape and stick it directly over your line so there’s no space between them
5. Make sure to press down firmly so you get a good seal before removing your hand
6. When you pull up on one side, pull in both directions so you don’t leave any residue behind
Peel away the backing from the other end of the tape and stick it directly over your line so there’s no space between them
The seam where the binding meets the body of the guitar is one of the most difficult parts to tape off. You want to press down firmly when you attach it so you don’t end up with any air bubbles or residue that will ruin your finish. The trick for this area is to peel away the backing from the other end of the tape and stick it directly over your line without leaving any space between them. This way, there’s no gap that can create a mess when you remove it.
Make sure to press down firmly so you get a good seal before removing your hand
The most important part of taping off guitar binding is making sure you press down firmly so you get a good seal before removing your hand. You want to make sure all the pieces are stuck together and the tape doesn’t peel away from the surface.
If you have any questions about how to tape off guitar binding, feel free to reach out!
When you pull up on one side, pull in both directions so you don’t leave any residue behind.
One of the most common mistakes people make when taping off a guitar binding is a lack of pulling power. When you pull up on one side, pull in both directions so you don’t leave any residue behind. You want to make sure that it’s pressed down firmly and that there are no air bubbles.
What you’ll need
The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure you have all of the above items. Here’s what you’ll need:
-A cloth (to clean your guitar)
-An old sweater (alternatively, any other fabric like an old t-shirt or towel)
-Tape (duct or masking)
-A plastic spoon
-Baby oil or mineral oil
Tape off your guitar’s binding
The most important step is to tape off your guitar’s binding. You want to make sure that you cover the entire area where the guitar’s binding is. If you don’t, what will happen is that when you use a cloth to wipe away the grime, it will transfer onto the guitar, which could lead to scratches.
Remove the excess tape
The first thing you need to do is remove the excess tape from the binding. You can do this by simply peeling it off. Be sure to remove any bits of tape from the wood edge as well because they will show through.
Apply a mold release agent
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply a mold release agent to the area around the nick. This will help keep the guitar from sticking to the tape when you apply it. A safe, easy way to do this is with a piece of wax paper. Cut a small strip of wax paper and place it over the area in question. Next, secure it with your hand or some clamps so that it is in place while the wax hardens.
Clean the area with rubbing alcohol
The first thing you want to do is clean the area with rubbing alcohol. This will not only help remove any leftover residue of the nick, but it also helps dry the area so that there’s no moisture left for the tape to stick to.
Next, take a piece of clear tape and cut it so that it’s about an inch and a half long. Then place it over your guitar’s binding and use a credit card or other flat object to smooth it down. Once the tape is on securely, cut off any excess at the top and bottom.
Finally, apply some more rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or paper towel and then wipe your binding as gently as possible with this cotton ball or towel. At this point, if there are still areas with residual nicks, you can repeat steps two through four until those stubborn nicks disappear.
Clean up any excess guitar polish
Before you get started, it’s a good idea to clean up any excess guitar polish. You can use a rag or paper towel to wipe away the overflow. This will make the process easier for you and help remove any excess stains.
Seal the area with clear nail polish
To remove the nicks from your guitar, first, clean the area with some alcohol. Next, seal it with some clear nail polish. Let it dry then simply peel the nail polish off to reveal a nick-free guitar!
If you don’t have any clear nail polish on hand, you can also use some Elmer’s glue to cover up the nick. But if you want to avoid Elmer’s altogether, you can also use a layer of white school glue or even toothpaste. This is an easy way to get those persistent nicks out of your guitar so that they don’t bother you anymore!
How to tape off guitar binding FAQS
Painters masking is specifically for painting and will not remove the finish on your guitar. It’s designed to allow paint to be removed easily. Masking tape is intended for all types of surfaces and will remove the finish on your guitar.
That is not a good idea. Plastic wrap will not seal well enough and may cause damage to your guitar.
You can use any color you would like. The most common colors are a matte black, a gloss white, and a satin finish.
Fiebings Natural Finish Guitar Sealer is the recommended sealant for body binding because it not only seals the wood for a better tone, but it also protects against water damage and makes future maintenance easier.
Conclusion
A new guitar is a joy to own, but it’s tough to keep that new guitar shine.
Taping off the binding on your guitar can help you avoid some of the scratches that come with regular use. And while it may seem tedious, it’s the best way to clean off any stubborn nicks on your guitar’s binding without chipping away at the new finish.
Once you have the binding taped off, you’ll need to remove the excess tape with an x-acto knife. Then clean the area with rubbing alcohol and let dry.
The next step is to apply a mold release agent, which can be found in craft and hobby stores and online retailers. After applying the release agent, clean up any excess and seal the area with clear nail polish.
