The Real Binding...

This is pretty straight forward. Just need to be really careful you keep the router flat.
I started on the back - just in case there was something unforseen....

As you can see, the maple top got much more router 'burn' than the ash.

Attaching the binding requires quite a bit of focus. The glue dries fast - so you have to place the piece, hold it in place and at the same time tape it down firmly...

I also used a couple of clamps in spots to really make sure the binding was seating properly.

For tricky areas, you can hold the binding in place with your fingers. If you hold it super tight for 90 secs, once you release it will probably be firm enough to stay in place. The glue is amazing!

I trimmed the binding overhang with a sharp blade - I just carefully sliced it back - almost level with the wood. This also cleans up much of the glue that spills out too.

I will finally make the binding flush by sanding. All areas around the binding need to be sanded flush (including the sides of the guitar).

Double Bound Pearloid Joy!

Ok - I love a double bound tele.... especially when it's 'mother of toilet seat'....

I got 0.06" Pearloid Binding from www.allparts.com
I got the appropriate router bit from Stew Mac. It's a matter of using the standard bit, bit choosing the right size bearing for your binding.

I adjusted the router so that the binding would sit just proud of the body surfaces. I did a test cut on some scrap MDF.

Repair Results!

You'll remember my panicked moment when the router got away from me.... Luckily, most of the gore will be hidden by the control plate - and the bit that would have been exposed I managed to repair. You can't even see it. In a nutshell, I took a piece of maple (an offcut from the top), oriented it with the same grain direction and spliced it together with the damaged part.

And here it is - a glimpse of what it may look like....