How to Install Guitar Binding with Acetone | The easiest way I've ever used

Here's an easy way to install plastic binding on a guitar body. This method uses only Acetone to adhere the binding. There is no need for any binding glue. The acetone partially melts the binding and as the binding dries it fuses itself to the wood. Its really easy to do.
-- Affiliate Links to Products Used --
Amana Tools Rabbeting Bit Set - amzn.to/3bYMN6h
Acetone - amzn.to/3hUxj7j
Stew Mac Tape Dispenser - amzn.to/3yCVoWd
Stew Mac Binding Glue (if you want that instead) - amzn.to/3upvim5
Stew Mac Brown Binding Tape - amzn.to/3wJw9jj
Card Scraper Set - amzn.to/3wCfdLf
Single Edge Razor Blades - amzn.to/3yHZHzj
-- Visit My Website--
www.homebuiltworkshop.com/
-- Ways To Support HBW --
www.homebuiltworkshop.com/sup...
-- My TeeSpring Store --
teespring.com/stores/home-bui...
-- My Amazon Affiliate Store for recommended products--
www.amazon.com/shop/homebuilt...
-- Join the HBW Built not Bought Facebook Group --
/ 623919504748705
-----Connect on Social Media-----
/ homebuiltshop
/ homebuiltshop
/ homebuiltshop
/ homebuiltshop
-- Join the Community on my Website --
www.homebuiltworkshop.com/com...
-- Check Out My Handmade Guitars --
www.hayleyguitars.com/
----- My Mailing Address -----
Home Built Workshop LLC
P.O. Box 84
Peyton, CO 80831
-- Join in on My Weekly Live Stream (events calendar) --
www.homebuiltworkshop.com/eve...
Please remember when using tools of any type, there is the potential for injury. You are responsible for your own safety. Make sure you know how to use your tools properly, work at your own risk, be safe, wear your safety gear, and most of all, have fun!
#guitarbuilding #guitarbinding #homebuiltworkshop

[@colbell5428]

great video - tiniest suggestion. You could pre-position your tape all the way around your binding strip prior to putting the acetone on with the brush. Then the tape is already in place ready to press onto the guitar body. It frees your hands up to keep pressure on the binding without having to go back to the tape dispenser.

[@tedk2814]

I enjoyed this segment especially as a grandfather. Its amazing how kid will turn everything into a game, thanks...

[@davidmoss7245]

I’m just about to attempt my first binding job (and wood routing to accept the binding)on a build thats taken weeks and I saw this video of yours , it’s fantastic and completely helped me enormously thank you sooo much for clear instructions,tips and top notch narration 😢👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸

[@rebelrelicguitars]

Well done video. Clear, good pace and no unnecessary talking.

[@Joey_McElroy]

You make this seem so so so simple thank you! I love the look of the cream plastic binding. I can't wait to try this!!!

[@Springercycles]

Found your channel last year, I started building guitars as a hobby and your channel has helped me along .

[@NSS5773]

Best Binding video I have found. Only one I've seen so far do a dry fit. so smart.

[@davidmoss7245]

You are a lifesaver,thanks for sharing the video it's exactly what I was after.Excellent advice and perfect for what I needed to know.

[@LakesideWeldingJerry]

Awesome binding trick. Thank you!

[@terrythegnome2408]

Awesome method! Thanks for the tips!

[@cuinoz3569]

A+++ video. Excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing.

[@marcosartor6474]

Thanks man, that was really helpful!! Keep up the good work!!!

[@badcoreproductions3462]

Thanks, did my first binding after watching this video. Had a couple spots with gaps after it dried, but I successfully filled them with binding shavings and some more acetone.

[@nanaandbump.]

Awesome video, thanks for the tips!

[@jonmurph589]

Hey, your video is so helpful, it answered every question i had about installing binding. Thank you for sharing. All the best, Jon in UK.

[@jorge-_-reza]

Great demonstration! It's always good to learn something new!!! Thanks 😊

[@homebuiltshop]

Thank You!

[@davelewis5317]

Really enjoyed watching this. Thanks for your time making this video. This will help me nicely with my guitar build.

[@homebuiltshop]

Glad to hear it!

[@bobbysharp]

I've been anticipating this one! Thanks brother, that seems painless. Great video as always.

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks. It is pretty quick and definitely painless. Unless you burn yourself with the heat gun. Lol.

[@yellowcat1310]

@@homebuiltshop they do get hot

[@RoanIsCool]

Great stuff man

[@shanestevens1590]

Explained so well , perfect job . Again brilliant video. Thank you 👍

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful.

[@JimboLodisC]

ooh, coming back to watch this again and I think I need to borrow that tip about rounding off the corners of the card scraper, I usually have to bend the scraper more than I'd like to avoid scratching things up

[@homebuiltshop]

Go for it, It takes a little bit of the fear out of the process knowing that the corners aren't there.

[@ivanlitvinov9917]

Thank you for another great one video) As more i watch your videos as more i want to start to build my 1st one guitat this winter) thank you for inspiration)

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks my friend. I wish you the best on your guitar build. I'm sure it will be awesome.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Cool video man, I like the brush technique

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks guys! I appreciate that. Thanks for checking it out.

[@micheleyakubik6385]

WOW! Your skill level is UN-Godly! -I know video is sped up for time saving purposes, but you do an exceptional job & make it look easy!

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks. I appreciate that.

[@eemacedo]

Thank you very much

[@richardpelland661]

Cool! I was wondering how I could fix my guitar binding and now I know. Thanks VERY much.

[@homebuiltshop]

You can do it. Its pretty easy. If you're working on a finished guitar, be careful with the acetone though. I do not know how it will react to your finish.

[@joeanderson3423]

VERY Cool! Acetone rocks !

[@homebuiltshop]

Its so great!

[@giovannipetitti1588]

very good Jeff, 💯💯💯💯💯💯👍❤️

[@matthewstollar2678]

LOVELY! thanks xx

[@mrfatbobrider1969]

Man you gotta love the help from ya kids so awsome ✌🧡

[@homebuiltshop]

You got that right!

[@mrfatbobrider1969]

@@homebuiltshop for sure, I have 7 children and 2 grandchildren and 2 on the way. ✌

[@irishthump73]

Very interesting process Jeff! I imagine it would have other applications such as decorative inlays. By the way, my wife says your daughter is a “little angel!” As a dad myself I know the enjoyment of having your kid help you with even the smallest of tasks.

[@yellowcat1310]

ha! i was just thinking yes his daughter is a little angel and this guitar builder must have one very beautiful wife because this child did not get her good looks from her dad lmao!

[@corradovt]

Thanks for this! I definitely was holding off on doing because it was new and different and seemed scary. The triple laminate I was doing definitely made it harder and, in retrospect, I should have done the main/thick binding first with the heat gun. The small/flimsy pieces were quick to show signs of impending melt before the main binding really got warm enough to get loose & fully set. Overall a success though and this video was EXACTLY what I needed to get over that, "Shit... is it really that easy?" hump.

[@themercersrule]

Thank you!!

[@kk-om5zm]

thats cool Jeff.I like it...

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks Brother!

[@thebigdcross]

ThanX Man!!

[@moosey62]

Thanks so much ;-)

[@boogie11188]

Hi, I always enjoy your videos, and learn lots from them. I'm building an acoustic at the moment and intend to use plastic binding, I have been debating what adhesive to use, have you ever used acetone to fix plastic binding to an acoustic guitar? Thanks

[@Mojokiss]

I put wood filler in my binding channels on my 57 guild when I was a kid. now I'm having to rout that out and put on good binding. Thanks for this video and I know it's helping a lot of us.

[@WickBeavers]

I want to retrofit my beautiful custom Walnut top guitar with an off white binding. This job makes me think it’s not such a terrible idea. Thanks.

[@homebuiltshop]

Its not too bad. I'm sure yours will look great.

[@M0nsieurX]

Thanks for the great tips and video! Just my 2 cents, more flutes on your router bit can help but will add friction and heat to your material (possibly cracking the wood from the heat) - depending many things... I cnc stuff: the rpms and feed speed (how fast you cut mm/s) will greatly affect grain or finish also. Too fast and you will burn/harden the wood, too slow and you start ripping the wood (no matter the grain direction). Make sure your tool (the flutes) are always sharp.

[@homebuiltshop]

A sharp bit makes a world of difference. Thanks for sharing those tips.

[@anuallaf]

Nice, 👌

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks ✌

[@williecarter2717]

Great video and very informative. Question for you, I just bought a vintage acoustic on eBay with busted binding all over, I’d love to try and replace the binding myself as a project (it’s not a super expensive guitar, but I’d still like to minimize mistakes.). This being the case, would working with acetone be a bad idea? Or should one just be super careful with it?

[@mrfatbobrider1969]

Hey Jeff, another great informative video 🤘How about a neck jig giveaway? Just joking mate 😂😁keep up the great videos my friend. 🎬🎥📼📺 New Zealand is watching. ✌

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks! I'm still working on fine tuning my neck jig. Lol.

[@racmakes]

What do you think about stewmac neck jig for fret and fingerboard leveling?

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Love the look of a double bound guitar, too bad you did not do that to yours, but nice tutorial video, thanks for sharing.

[@homebuiltshop]

Thanks. I like the double bound look too. I didn't do it this time because of the belly carve on the back. I need to make a router jig to follow that contour.

[@wadetomczyk8043]

There’s the syringe that’s the only thing I use good job!

[@thomasdempsey4870]

What grit sandpaper did you use for sanding top, after binding scrap?

[@mvyper]

Would that be harder with a veneered top ? Would the acetone unglue the veneer from the body ?

[@PLINKER]

I was curious where you picked up your hand held round sanding disc holder! Thank much. Tom

[@homebuiltshop]

I found it on the Super Grit website. That's where i get almost all of my sanding supplies.

[@mattjudge9680]

Great video, thanks for showing your process. Question, is special binding tape required or can you use something cheaper and easier to find?

[@homebuiltshop]

I'd guess you could use about any tape that will hold the binding securely, and peel off clean. I'd use a scrap piece of wood to test out different tapes though before trying it on an actual guitar body.

[@gefenguitars]

Does the acetone work with Celluloid bindings?

[@davidratti5031]

U look like A young Chris's Elliot lol just joking love the video it helped me a lot with my project

[@Leemask1]

hey what size binding did you use for this

[@stevenboyer8887]

What model # binding did you use?

[@lodollar23]

I'd like to see a video on some scrap with the gaps to see the "fill in" process. With wood and this binding. I want to take the back off my vintags but this is all that's holding me back. I'm scared to lol. But i want to fix my own. Not someone else. Thanks

[@RosalioPerez-zs2rl]

what kind of tape you use a plastic tape or electrical tape?

[@vernonknight5827]

Does that work on all plastic binding, and with acoustic guitars?

[@joshuamartinez2721]

Hey really great video! I have a question. The inlays shoud go after painting?

[@homebuiltshop]

You could do it after painting, but there is a bit of risk in damaging the finish. I've seen many guitars painted after the binding is applied. You don't scrape it flush until after painting. Then the paint is scraped right off the binding.

[@joshuamartinez2721]

@@homebuiltshop thakns!!!

[@razeryo9513]

Thanks for your learn bro I try to be a luthier

[@homebuiltshop]

You can do it!

[@scottdahlberg4890]

You do left handed work?!?!???? Holy hell.

[@homebuiltshop]

Yes! I'm a lefty.

[@chuckplainview4085]

How do you know where it's going to tear out?

[@TexasEdition]

How to you manage a guitar with an arch top?

[@bobsegar1242]

knew we had something in common, im a lefty too

[@homebuiltshop]

Go Lefties!

[@jedn6488]

Will you mask the binding then paint scrape again then sand and then clear coat or sand after clear coat to insure it’s level? I’m assuming after you paint and scrape the paint off the binding won’t be level to the body?

[@homebuiltshop]

This guitar isn't getting any paint or dye. I'll scrape/sand the binding flush then apply the clear. If I was going to paint it, I'd scrape it almost flush leaving a little bit of material to scrape it again after painting. After that, I'd apply the clear to seal it all in.

[@jedn6488]

@@homebuiltshop thank you

[@markgrimm3564]

which binding did you use for the acatone to adhear it

[@homebuiltshop]

It has to be plastic binding for the acetone to work. Wood or other non plastic still needs glue.

[@viking1au]

Now it just needs the body coloured & gloss finished.

[@homebuiltshop]

It got a gloss finish but no color. This wood was saved by my Grandpa from the early 80's. I didn't want to cover it up.

[@RickDrift]

Does the acetone work with wood bingings?

[@homebuiltshop]

No, for wood binding you need to use wood glue. The acetone partially melts the plastic which adheres it to the guitar body when it hardens up. That won't do the same for wood binding.

[@MovingToMnPro]

Would this work the same way on an acoustic?

[@homebuiltshop]

The process is the same but how you route the channel will change a bit. I think the biggest difference is that the most acoustics do not have a flat top/back. They have a bit of a dish to them. Most people use some sort of jig that will follow that dish.

[@zurdoremi]

excellent ! but why not double binding ??

[@homebuiltshop]

I now wish I'd have done double binding but this is still one of my favorite guitars.

[@zurdoremi]

@@homebuiltshop yes, the proportions are very good, I happen to be left handed too.

[@Tom-bs3zh]

I built a "rickenbacker" bass out of junk mail epoxy and papyrus. My question is would this method work on an epoxy guitar without de-laminating it?

[@homebuiltshop]

I don't think the binding would bond with the resin using only acetone. You would likely have to use some adhesive for the binding. It would stick to the wood but I'm not positive about the epoxy.

[@Tom-bs3zh]

@Home Built Workshop I did some research, I guess it can actually melt the epoxy too

[@matthouston8411]

use a metal card to remove the left over fluff in the channel. Like a burnishing card...edit: wrote this comment before the end of the video. so use that same card scraper for the channel

[@homebuiltshop]

Great tip!

[@budgreen7764]

Hey gang, he's a Lefty!

[@Wayne-qb2pv]

I love the video. You should consider gloves. I don't think acetone is good for your fingers.

[@trinacria1956]

Depending what plastic, tried it twice and nothing happened! No mark to my binding. Had to use glue.

[@luckysevenairammo1217]

Bro this wood binding isn't sticking 😂

[@homebuiltshop]

Hmmm. I wonder why? Lol.

[@CC-fi3pp]

Binding - why? Wood expands and shrinks, it never ends well. Binding on all those old $34000 "vintage" Les Paul's is always ruined. Just give me a normal solid body.

[@eddioritz2580]

Awesome video !!!! Thanks. Question 🙋‍♂️ what size of binding do you use on a telecaster body?

[@ande047]

A little late but I’ve been doing some research for the tele I’m building and the consensus seems to be around 1.5 - 2 mm.

[@rfilianogmailcom]

Will it work the same with a guitar body made out of ABS?