I do a lot of bridge reglues and in doing so I work in a manner that the next steps are not obscured if possible by the current step.
So I use a caul that is shaped and positioned in such a manner that I can get to the entire glue line and squeeze-out immediately after the bridge is clamped in place.
With this said:
1) I want 1 - 3 minutes and then begin removing the squeeze-out. I make a masking tape "well" with a double layer of masking tape around my bridges so they have a pocket to snap into when time is short and the HHG has been applied. So 1 - 3 minutes after the clamps are set I pull the tape and that takes 95% of the squeeze out still flexible and a bit watery with it.
2) I dip a paper towel in my glue pot hot water (we float our HHG in a baby food jar in a hot water bath) and use the hot water on the towel to clean any glue off the guitar finish.
3) I use a wooden tooth pick and pieces of wet paper towel to really get into the glue joint for a very clean result.
With brace reglues kind of the same thing I am cleaning squeeze out around the clamps nearly right away again with hot water and paper towel.
I'm going down memory lane here and remembering a post Mario one made on the OLF describing that some of the finest guitars in the world were a mess inside with HHG glue globs, saw marks on the braces, etc.
Anyway I used to use masking tape next to braces too to again pull squeeze-out up a couple minutes after I have clamps in place.
