Official Luthiers Forum!

I have checked LMI and M/S and they only have solid color dyes you are supposed to mix to get different colors, tones etc. Is there a product on the shelf from well known companies that will permanently dye the neck and can be used with any type finish?

Is the only thing applied to fretboards something like olive oil?

A mahogany neck? Take a look at Potassium Dichromate. It puts a nice color on mahogany... but be warned it is pretty toxic. Take precautions.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

What Brock said. I use it on the light mahogany and it turns it into a very nice, warm brown that looks great under finish.
It comes as a powder from chemical supply houses and is mixed with water...say a teaspoon to a mayo jar of water...probably last a lifetime. Swab it on the neck after all your sanding is completed. Let dry then shoot a VERY light wash coat of lacquer to freeze and raised grain in the upward position and to protect the color. Then LIGHTLY sand with a 500 grit to knock off the fuzz, wipe clean with a tack rag and go to sanding sealer, then lacquer.
DO use a resperator, goggles, a long sleeved shirt and elbow high rubber gloves. Do it outside if possible for ventilation. It's dangerous, but not any more so than a lot of other things we handle, so just be cautious and keep your wits about you.

Bob, check out the dyes at Target Coatings

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Terence..
I don't know about the epoxy filer over the potassium dichromate. Worth an experimental try on some scrap mahogany. My concern would be with how you deal with the slightly raised grain from the water-borne potassium dichromate, but maybe the epoxy will do the same as the thinned lacquer wash coat and allow you to knock down any fuzz before continuing.
I apply the "stain" with a good quality paper towel. Just wipe it on evenly, don't soak it. The color appears via chemical reaction with the mahogany. Do one entire coat first, let dry and assess the degree of darkening you have obtained. If you want it darker, repeat the application...that's why I suggested a very weak solution...gives you more leeway to get to the shade you want. The final raw "stained" neck will darken a bit and look richer under finish (at least under my lacquer it does) so please do a complete test with all the products you are using for finishing.

Please report back your experience with the finish products you use.

Terrence, if the epoxy doesn't work you might try a light wash coat of shellac on top of the potassium dichromate mix. It will then accept the epoxy filler your using. That might allow you to get the fuzz of a little easier.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.