How to Bind a Guitar After a Finish

Remove the old binding from the guitar. Measure the binding and order new binding with the correct ply. Select from plastic binding in white, cream, ivoroid or black. Select 0.40-inch binding for a vintage guitar, banjo or mandolin. Select 0.60-inch binding if you need to add inlay to the binding. Use 0.90-inch binding for Les Paul Customs, to overhang the fret crown onto the binding, or to use binding alone. Use 0.120-inch if you think you might need a safety margin for scraping and sanding.

Clean the bottom surface of the binding with a damp cloth for a visibly clean and smooth surface. Clamp a file into a vise. Hold the binding against the file with one hand and pull the binding strip across the file with your other hand to create a smooth surface.

Soften the binding with a heat gun held 8 inches away from the plastic until the binding droops. Bend and shape the binding. Apply hide glue, which won't destroy the finish, to about 6 to 10 inches of the channel starting at the tail end. Secure it with a latex pinstriper's tape by first sticking the tape to a cotton shirt so that it won't damage the finish.

Repeat the glue and taping procedure to the neck of the guitar. Secure the tape to the binding until the binding cools and assumes its shape. Remove the tape slowly pulling at an angle to protect the finish.

Apply a clear finish over the binding to protect the guitar finish. Allow 20 minutes to 2 hours after spraying the finish for the binding to dry.