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Disguise/cover a glue line?

Hey all. Need a bit o help.
I have a LP reso diddly in the works with a laminate neck.
Customer asked for exotic wood.
My first time using exotic wood (purpleheart).
The neck is ph/white ash/ph laminate ans the glue line is visible. (yes I know the wood is different colors, but the contrast isn't what I'm talking about).
Anyway ..... how do I cover/camo/disguise/getrid of the glue line?

AFKAM

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on December 3, 2010 at 4:41am

Makeup.

Nah, I have no idea. Wood dust (same wood) mixed with glue? OR make the difference noticeable by creating a thicker, intentional line. AKA hiding in plain sight.

Good luck and post the solution to Secrets of the CBG Underground :-)

-WY

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Permalink Reply by john donovan on December 3, 2010 at 11:44am

Are you staining the woods? If so you can get rid of those lines, witness lines as they are called, this way.

Apply a coat oil oil based stain. Then using 180-220 grit paper sand the stain with the grain into the witness lines. This may take a few applications this way. Also it's not going to be perfect but should get rid of most of the line.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on December 3, 2010 at 12:18pm

If you are not goin to stain, use an oil type finish like Tung Oil or Tru-Oil. Sand the first coat in a small circular motion along the glue line while the oil is wet to rub the dust into the line. You can even scrape some of the glue out with a razor first to create a tiny gap to fill with an oil/dust mixture.

john donovan said:

Are you staining the woods? If so you can get rid of those lines, witness lines as they are called, this way.

Apply a coat oil oil based stain. Then using 180-220 grit paper sand the stain with the grain into the witness lines. This may take a few applications this way. Also it's not going to be perfect but should get rid of most of the line.

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Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on December 3, 2010 at 12:28pm

Hi. I've only made one guitar so far, but I have done other things. It really depends on what you are seeing. If you really see a gap then it has to be filled with something that matches one or other wood. Possibly wood dust and glue. If all you see is a break in the finish (only visible when you get a reflection on the surface) it will probably fill with superglue as long as no oil has been used beforehand which might stop it sticking. I filled a couple of pin holes in a box by putting wood dust in and then drizzling superglue onto it. It runs in by capillary action (will also glue up things that you didn't want glued if you aren't careful). Superglue will polish up to a fairly high gloss finish if you need it to, whereas epoxy glue seems to remain porous and doesn't take such a good shine. Love to see pics of the result.

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Permalink Reply by john donovan on December 3, 2010 at 2:39pm

After reading my reply I need to clarify... Apply the stain and basically wet sand the stain in using the paper. Instead of water you using the stain as the lubricant and it will work in the line nicely.