Steel String Bridge Reglue

[Robert Bander]

Hi,
I'm currently working on a Trinity College 14 fret cutaway,  that the bridge was pulling up and taking some top wood with it.  I removed the bridge and saw that there was a 1/8 inch lip of lacquer all around the perimeter of where the bridge sat on the top, and that the the bridge was glued to the lacquered perimeter and bare top wood. No wonder it was pulling up.   So the question is... remove the lacquer around the perimeter, or trim the bridge to the inside dimensions.  I'm thinking to scrape away the lacquer. Anyone with an informed opinion please respond. Also, has anyone ever seen a bridge glued onto a lacquered top surface?
Thanks,
Robert Bander

[Kerry Krishna]

There is a famous interview with Jean Larrivee were he talks about gluing down bridges to lacquer, then not having ANY of them fail over the years...

[Robert Bander]

Thanks, I'll research it.

[Robert Bander]

Thanks Chad,
That's good to know about the perimeter finish. I had no idea. I'm going to score and scrape. I'm curious, how do you route it?
Robert

[David Houchens]

I remove lacquer before reinstalling a bridge the same way I do my new builds. I position the bridge in proper location, lightly score the finish and CAREFULLY use my burn-in knife to heat the lacquer. it will blister and lift up easily. Be VERY careful doing the edges and keep the hot knife over the lacquer that is to be removed.

[Robert Bander]

Thanks David, I'll have to work on my burn in knife technique. I have only used a palet knife with an alcohol lamp to apply a lacquer stick for filling. Do you use that or an electric one with different tip shapes?

[Robert Bander]

I see, so by using the white protective sheets, you raise up the router base, giving a bit more height to work with.
Good idea. It looks like one of those dremel setups.
Robert