bleeding bloodwood bindings

[Bob Hammond]

Hi, As every young surgery resident learns, all bleeding stops - eventually. But in this case, I want to prevent bloodwood bindings from bleeding into the spruce top. I did a test by rubbing a piece of bloodwood with denatured alcohol, and the rag looked very bloody (really). Well, I like to shellac (a more skilled person would say French polish), and I think that there could be a problem if I'm not careful.

If recall correctly, laying down a couple of wash coats of shellac on the top before gluing on the bindings will help prevent excessive oozing of bloodwood blood into the top. And then it's necessary to go easy and pay attention as more coats are laid down for finishing. Is that so?

[Mark Swanson]

It is so. And, you can also seal the bindings by brushing on a few coats of shellac before you begin the full process. You have to get everything sealed, or it will bleed, simple as that.