How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Full Version)

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Andre -> How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 21 2021 9:41:11)

Anybody on the forum use West system epoxy to fix tap plates?
Is it easy to use and get a good result?
What is the method and materials used?

Cheers,
Andre



Tom Blackshear -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 23 2021 0:10:00)

If you use epoxy to glue the tap plate on, then how do you remove it when you need a new plate?



JasonM -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 23 2021 3:00:30)

Why not use self adhesive backed one from places like Madinter in Spain or LMI in the US?



Tom Blackshear -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 23 2021 16:54:21)

Make sure you have a clear plate from LMI. My last order from them was full of tiny air holes that I could not rub out....

It was almost catastrophic to remove the plate.



Andre -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 28 2021 11:45:05)

As I recently found out, it's irreversible. Have dropped the idea of west epoxy.



Andre -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 28 2021 12:05:13)

I'm in Australia.
Madinter won't ship to Australia and LMI's cheapest shipping option is $70 usd, that's ok if i was order other stuff as well but I'm just after the plates. I don't understand why they don't have a cheaper option.

Strings by mail sell 3M plates (which I think are not very good) but there International Priority Airmail option ( 7-14 days) is $6 usd.

So I was wondering if any forum members in Spain or the US could sell me some plates with some kind of airmail postage around $10. If Strings by mail can do, it must be possible.

Cheers,
Andre



Stephen Eden -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 28 2021 17:56:39)

I just got 10 plates from madinter and with no note on their website they have also switched to the 3m plates.



Andre -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 28 2021 22:33:47)

Stephen, maybe my message was a bit confusing. The company 'Strings by Mail' sell the 3M plates. Madinter sell a different type and that is what I'm trying to get.



Stephen Eden -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 29 2021 8:04:50)

Nope not confusing. As I said I just bought 10 plates from Madinter and they were the 3M kind. They used to sell something different.

Classical Autoadhesive Scratchplate See-Through.

I've been buying them from Madinter for the last 15 years. Now they are 3M, so I was not happy that they had not noted the change on their website. Because of the way I had to get them (Brexit related) I can't even send them back.



Andre -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 29 2021 11:02:30)

Ok, my apologies. I was the one that got confused.

Well if they are the same 3M plates I've been using I'd be cautious about using them. I just found it hard to get a nice transparent look over the entire plate. I wonder if the LMI plates are now 3M too?

I've just ordered some mylar and rabbit skin glue, going to experiment with that.



Tom Blackshear -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 29 2021 14:20:43)

Mylar has a harder surface than rigid vinyl but when it gets scratches in it, it's almost impossible to polish them out. However, I've used it on many of my guitars........

I used white poly vinyl glue with hot water to thin it down a little and roughed up the tap plate inside with 400 wet and dry sandpaper. Then applied the glue and then put down the plate and used a rubber roller to mash out all the air holes and white glue as much as possible, then let it dry.

The clean up around the plate is done with a soft damp towel, then dried off completely with a dry towel/rag. Don't let water dry on the finish or it may cause water spots.

I've had plates take as much as 3 days for the white color to dry clear. It depends how much white color you remove with the application, taking consideration to get all the air pockets pressed out. I recommend that you practice this on a smooth board first.

When the plate is ready to replace, just remove it with some hot water and clean up the glue with a hot water towel, and repeat the process. Repeating the process depends on the players use.



Andre -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 30 2021 13:35:29)

Tom, what do you use to shape your plates and any specific technique to get a clean smooth cut?



Tom Blackshear -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Nov. 30 2021 14:21:16)

A very sharp commercial razor box cutter and metal ruler as a guide and for the sound hole I made a wood compass with a razor insert to make the round cut....To round the plate from the bottom and top toward the sound hole I use a pair of sharp scissors.

For any rough edges I use 320 sand paper slightly slanted on the plate edge



ernandez R -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 1 2021 5:05:14)

I've used that 3M contact adhesive and it's like a sheet of gummy rubber and have been hesitant to use it thinking it would suck the trebles out of the top.

I've thought about epoxy but havnt for obvious reasons.

Tom, what white glue are you talking about? Like Elmers? Or a PVA like used I've used in book binding? Do you have a brand name?

Ok, I've got a confession to make, I've never put a tap plate on one of my guitars. There I said it, I feel flamenco deficient ;)

I've held it as an option but so far the ahnd full I've sold no one has asked for one.

I've thought about a layer or two of carbon fiber cause, Laid up wet directly on the top it would ring like, like,...


HR



Tom Blackshear -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 1 2021 17:18:19)

quote:


Tom, what white glue are you talking about? Like Elmers? Or a PVA like used I've used in binding? Do you have a brand name?


Strangely enough I used Elmer's white glue when I first started building guitars.

Also, Tite-bond has a white glue for sale Probably PVA, but you might have to special order it as some stores don't have it in stock. I've used it to good success.

LMI used to sell a white glue that dried like clear glass and hard but water soluble........ they now use a yellow glue that I don't care for. It makes things harder to take apart and the clean up is more difficult. Just my opinion.



n85ae -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 1 2021 18:21:09)

I'm not a guitar builder, but I have used quite a few different glue's and epoxies over the years. West Systems Epoxy would not be a great choice, although it is a great adhesive system. A glue which might be worth testing is "PVA Book Binding Adhesive" it is a bit similar to Elmers glue, but pretty sticky, and with easy cleanup, and I would bet removable.

Just and idea that came to mind reading the thread.

Jeff



Escribano -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 1 2021 19:07:15)

quote:

I'm not a guitar builder, but I have used quite a few different glue's and epoxies over the years. West Systems Epoxy would not be a great choice, although it is a great adhesive system. A glue which might be worth testing is "PVA Book Binding Adhesive" it is a bit similar to Elmers glue, but pretty sticky, and with easy cleanup, and I would bet removable.


Proper bookbinding glue is removable. I bind books. Not sure if it dries clear though, as it doesn't need to. It is also not designed to glue plastic to wood.

I bind books.



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px



n85ae -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 1 2021 20:58:33)

This is the kind I have, and it dries clear. Nice glue I use it for a lot of paper, and wood related projects and odd jobs (maps, books, etc). Nice stuff.

Jeff

https://www.amazon.com/Lineco-Books-Hand-Neutral-Adhesive/dp/B00NZGD6OS/ref=asc_df_B00NZGD6OS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198099762925&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14389327243099266583&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021428&hvtargid=pla-350150000831&th=1



ernandez R -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 1 2021 20:59:47)

quote:

ORIGINAL: n85ae

I'm not a guitar builder, but I have used quite a few different glue's and epoxies over the years. West Systems Epoxy would not be a great choice, although it is a great adhesive system. A glue which might be worth testing is "PVA Book Binding Adhesive" it is a bit similar to Elmers glue, but pretty sticky, and with easy cleanup, and I would bet removable.

Just and idea that came to mind reading the thread.

Jeff



5AE,

I meant book binding PVA up thread but you know, long time A&P cause I couldn't spell my way out of a wet paper bag.

HR



n85ae -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 1 2021 21:33:52)

Indeed you did mention it, my eyes only see what they want to see these days :)

Jeff

quote:

5AE,

I meant book binding PVA up thread but you know, long time A&P cause I couldn't spell my way out of a wet paper bag.

HR

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JasonM -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 2 2021 16:34:15)

That is really cool looking, Simon!



alexandru marian -> RE: How to use West epoxy system for tap plates (Dec. 22 2021 16:02:43)

In the past few years I have ordered plates from Ramirez. They seemed a bit thinner than the ones I had from LMI or Madinter.



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