Maple fretboard's finish comming of, yelp!

[Silverburst]

Been working on the fret ends of this fender neck, they were sticking out on both sides in such a way, the thickness of a credit card. Not really acceptable.

So I used the lightest tape I had to project the fretboard when working on the fret ends, without taping over the edge, even taking care removing the tape in the length direction of the neck and even then some finish came off on some fretboard parts as you can see. After I filed off all the end, I still have to finish a lot of sharp corners, burrs... 2nd stage stuff, but I do not dare to put any tape on there. So, 1. how can I fix this the easiest way and 2. how to proceed for the rest of the fretwork ?

Thx!

[silverctr]

I'd probably dab some polyurethane on there with a small brush and then sand it smooth to blend.

[Silverburst]

Is that just colorless satin polyurethane lacquer ?

[andrewsfury]

take a razor blade and remove it all and tung oil and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CemeXExPYOk

[Silverburst]

Originally Posted by andrewsfury

take a razor blade and remove it all and tung oil and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CemeXExPYOk

Yeah, but it is not my guitar. I prefer to return it to my friend as original as possible.

[Takin' a Ride]

Fender uses nitrocellulose lacquer on their fretboards, which is why it ages to the yellowish color you see there. There are TONS of threads on Strat and Tele forums about making repairs like this. I'd look there.

[Silverburst]

ah yes... coming to home base first huh

[Silverburst]

Rich, would you have any advice on fixing the finish?

[Takin' a Ride]

According to this, if this is a newer Strat then the finish is actually urethane.

http://www.guitarnoise.com/forums/vi...hp?f=3&t=38774

I would try this product:

http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/...d-polyurethane

You could also try their standard poly, but I'd be worried that it would take a lot of coats to build the chip level.

http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/...g-polyurethane

I've used their Polycrylic on a neck in the satin finish and it works great, but is very clear and lacks that warm, slightly yellowish tone that maple fretboards usually have.

I'd use that high build in the semi-gloss and apply it very carefully with a small brush. I'd finish it out with some Micro Mesh. Start with the 6000 and move to the 8000 and 10000 only if the shine is not matching. Their finishing pads are good for this.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishin...hing_Pads.html

[RGTFanatic]

I totally agree with Jesse except that I would change 2 points.

1. scrape the rest of the finish off that fret only. You will NEVER be able to hide the line separating the old and new.

2. use Minwax wipe-on satin poly. It's thinner than standard poly and is more forgiving of mistakes. It will build up nicely in 4 or 5 coats. It also cures harder and faster than brush on.

http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/...FUZgMgodNggAgA

[Silverburst]

alrigjt, nice info guys! thx, I'm quite new at this.

would sanding the old lacquers edge be an option?

Someone advised amber colored to have a beter warm maple match.

it is a 89 usa made strat btw. according to the seral starting E8 + 5 digits.

[Takin' a Ride]

Originally Posted by RGTFanatic

I totally agree with Jesse except that I would change 2 points.

1. scrape the rest of the finish off that fret only. You will NEVER be able to hide the line separating the old and new.

2. use Minwax wipe-on satin poly. It's thinner than standard poly and is more forgiving of mistakes. It will build up nicely in 4 or 5 coats. It also cures harder and faster than brush on.

http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/...FUZgMgodNggAgA

This is better advice. I'd go with this. In my experience, you can strip the fretboard finish really quickly and easily with paint stripper. Just tape off everything first. But to me that board looks pretty shiny. I think he's going to want semi-gloss to match everything else.

[RGTFanatic]

Originally Posted by Takin' a Ride

This is better advice. I'd go with this. In my experience, you can strip the fretboard finish really quickly and easily with paint stripper. Just tape off everything first. But to me that board looks pretty shiny. I think he's going to want semi-gloss to match everything else.

I agree but minwax only makes gloss or satin in the wipe-on poly. They can be mixed easily enough to get a little more gloss, but then you have to buy two cans.............Thats enough to finish three 6 seater kitchen tables .........LOL

[Takin' a Ride]

The satin has NO SHEEN at all. It's what I used on my LNG neck.



Eventually I want to pull the frets, radius sand and refinish the whole neck. I used Polycrylic and it came in a tiny little can. This is brushed on.

[Silverburst]

Looking good ! thanks for the links ! very helpfull

Although minwax seems not really available in europe. What exactly is "poly". Is that Polyurethane they are talking about on

http://www.guitarnoise.com/forums/vi...hp?f=3&t=38774

Because this minwax product seems like some kind of protective oil/coating thing, or is it actually a lacquer as well? Names... sometimes hard to match. we tend to talk about varnish etc.