Official Luthiers Forum!
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/

A few finishing questions
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=17242		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Mark Ewing [ Sun May 18, 2008 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  A few finishing questions
First time builder questions. (1) Do you concern yourself with inconsistencies in grain color? (Can someone tell me how to upload pics?) (2) Do you put any kind of finish on the fret board? I was thinking about Watco tung oil.
Author:  Ken Franklin [ Sun May 18, 2008 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
Below the post box there is an upload box. You choose a file and then click add a file. Preview it to see if it's what you want. A file of of about 760K makes a nice size picture. If you don't have a program to shrink pictures go to shrinkpictures.com.

Some people like inconsistency and some don't. It can be a visual plus.

Most don't put much of anything on the fretboard. I put on a mixture of natural oils about once a year.
Author:  Hesh [ Sun May 18, 2008 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
What Ken said.

I use the fret board oil from LMI on my guitars when I restring them about once every 5 years......
Author:  Rvsgtr [ Mon May 19, 2008 9:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
Must be some pretty good strings you have there Hesh...mine only last about 2 years. :lol:
Author:  Mark Ewing [ Mon May 19, 2008 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
What I was thinking about is what might be put on the fret board to even out the grain color? Also, when do you glue on the bridge; before or after you put on the finish.
Author:  Mark Ewing [ Tue May 20, 2008 3:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
I finally figured out how to do pictures.
Author:  jhowell [ Tue May 20, 2008 7:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
Mark--

Stew Mac has a stain you can use, but in looking at your photos, I'd be very tempted just to put a dash of oil on it when you are done. Its a good looking fretboard!

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Colors,_tints,_and_stains/Black_Fingerboard_Stain.html
Author:  Hesh [ Tue May 20, 2008 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
That fret board is too pretty to dye - you don't like the look that you have?
Author:  Kirt Myers [ Tue May 20, 2008 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
I use Howard Feed-n-wax for fingerboards now, after recommendations from several people on the forum. I like it, and you can use it for many other things too. A 16 oz. bottle will last for years and years.

http://www.howardproducts.com/feednwax.htm
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Tue May 20, 2008 9:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
I use Linseed oil to hydrate the fretboard. It will darken the hue of the fretboard but not change the natural color. You do not want a finish on a fretboard as it will wear quickly. All you want on a fretboard is an oil to hydrate it if that.

I wipe on a moderate coat of boiled linseed oil and let it set for an 1/2 hour and wipe of the access. I do this again every day for 3 days right after the fretboard has been slotted and had side and position markers inlaid. being sure not to allow the oil to build up in the slots. When the guitar is complete and set-up I will remove the strings and give it a very very light wipe of linseed oil before shipping off to the client. I recommend that this be done once a year or once every other year depending on the wood and environment to keep the fretboard hydrated.
Author:  Billy T [ Tue May 20, 2008 10:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
Fretboard - lemon oil.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Tue May 20, 2008 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
Billy T wrote:
Fretboard - lemon oil.



lemon Oil works very well also [:Y:]
Author:  Mark Ewing [ Tue May 20, 2008 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
Hesh wrote:
That fret board is too pretty to dye - you don't like the look that you have?


I do like the way it looks. I got a bridge from Grizzly and it has some kind of finish on it. I was thinking I would want to try to get the fret board to match as best I could but I was also thinking I should just go ahead and make a another on from scratch. idunno
Author:  Mark Ewing [ Tue May 20, 2008 11:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: A few finishing questions
MichaelP wrote:
I use Linseed oil to hydrate the fretboard. It will darken the hue of the fretboard but not change the natural color. You do not want a finish on a fretboard as it will wear quickly. All you want on a fretboard is an oil to hydrate it if that.

I wipe on a moderate coat of boiled linseed oil and let it set for an 1/2 hour and wipe of the access. I do this again every day for 3 days right after the fretboard has been slotted and had side and position markers inlaid. being sure not to allow the oil to build up in the slots. When the guitar is complete and set-up I will remove the strings and give it a very very light wipe of linseed oil before shipping off to the client. I recommend that this be done once a year or once every other year depending on the wood and environment to keep the fretboard hydrated.



This is where I was going this but when I was reading through what seemed like a ton of stuff, it seemed there was at least 37 different ways to do this "end game" type finishing. [headinwall] It seemed easiest to tape off and go.

I don't know any other builders in Columbus area? I have plowed through this first one with fear and trepidation and my local library card.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/