repair a few slight cracks in spalted drop top - ideas?

hi guys, have found a spalted maple top book matched set for a possible tele build this summer.

it has a few small cracks reported in the spalt. if they are not terribly large, epoxy should repair them, should I do this before or after the set is laminated to the body blank? I am thinking after glue up...and any good epoxy suggestions?

thanks in advance,

Derek

Epoxy could really foul your finish depending on the sequence. It has a nasty habit of soaking into adjacent areas - and it will not absorb stains or dyes.

If you haven't seen the wood yet, I'd wait until you get it - then post some pics. Cracks in spalted maple I usually deal with just like I do small holes and cracks in birdseye - apply dye first (If that's part of my finish), then use standard solvent type grain filler; tint it if you like to a dark color or one closer to the primary color of the wood. Unless they are significant cracks that are easily noticed or structurally a problem, though, I just treat them as I would open grain. Makes the less noticeable.

Thanks Silverface, I haven't seen the wood in hand yet, but they appear to be all in the black lines areas where the figuring converges. I'll wait and see and post some pics and go from there.

I appreciate the info!

Derek

If you have a sanding machine you can put a few drops of super glue in the wood and put it through the machine. Then the sanding dust fills the cracks and you cant tell if you do a good job.

You could also hand sand it and keep a bit of dust and do the same.