Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Johnny the Kid

Johnny the Kid

Shaunofthedeadologist
So I love ebony fingerboards (looks and feel), unfortunately, I don't have the skill, tools, or know-how to replace the rosewood boards on my guitars with ebony ones. So after a bit of snooping around on StewMac, I saw that leather dye will produce the visual benefits of ebony on a different wood. A bit more snooping on the interwebs and I found Feibings Leather Dye for $3.10 at Sears, so naturally I bought some (4oz bottle). Any tips on doing this? I've used leather dye before (proud recipient of a leatherworking merit badge in Boy Scouts) so I know to use rubber gloves and such, but any other tups would be great.

Also, I am seriously considering sanding down my necks (just the finish, I love the thickness already but I want some more speed). I did some more research and found that tru oil for gunstocks is a great way to seal it. Any tips on that?

Thanks in advanced guys. You rock!
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

For getting the back of the fretboard clean, smooth and fast-
I used green scotch pad dishwashing squares, up and down about 8 times and finished with 600 sandpaper or even 0000 steel wool. I left mine with no oil or anything, so I'll leave that advice to more knowledgable folks here at the forum.
SJB BTW-I did that with every single guitar I own, maple, mahogany. Or any guitar that comes my way. Hate the feel of finish.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

tru oil, vegetal oil, boiled linseed oil or even 3 in 1 oil are fine as neck finishes goes, you can apply them thin or put a ton lots of coats until the neck shines.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Johnny the Kid said:
Also, I am seriously considering sanding down my necks (just the finish, I love the thickness already but I want some more speed). I did some more research and found that tru oil for gunstocks is a great way to seal it. Any tips on that?
Click to expand...

What finish is on the neck now? Its possible with some finishes to just steel wool them... its a much better idea than resealing the neck.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Whatever Hamer used on their imports and whatever Epiphone used on the 2010 worn SG's. I honestly, don't know how to tell finishes apart.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

I remove paint and finish from all guitars the day I get them with sandpaper by hand. It is a bit of work go up to at least 800 grit 1200 is really smooth. Tung oil it let dry for at least 24 hours , scrub it with scotch brite then 400 to 800 and it is usually done unless the wood is really extra dry. I don't want to oil it up to a glossy finish , I want to feel wood. You might need to reapply a little oil every few years. When using dye on a fretboard I would tape the edges where the neck meets the board just to keep it clean. Don't try and soak a large amount all at once just take your time and do it a little at a time.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

+1 To sanding the back of the necks. I sand them down and then use a VERY light coat of Gun Stock Oil/Danish Oil to finish it. Van Halen kept his maple necks completely raw, while some do not recommend it.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

So I ended up pulling an all nighter. I decided that while I am going to sand off the necks, its not gonna happen right now, and its more of a summer project, considering I don't have a garage, and I don't wanna try to do that in my apartment.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Johnny the Kid said:
So I ended up pulling an all nighter. I decided that while I am going to sand off the necks, its not gonna happen right now, and its more of a summer project, considering I don't have a garage, and I don't wanna try to do that in my apartment.
Click to expand...

Pity. lol I do it in my apartment BUT it can be a dusty project...
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Well I'd love to, but I don't want all the dust inside. When I go home for a few days this summer, it'll be perfect time to do it.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

treyhaislip said:
I completely understand, I think you will be happy with the results when you do!
Click to expand...

I think so too. Plus my dad loves doing this kind of stuff with me. He doesn't play guitar, but me and him bonded over opening up a guitar bridge to take the broken stub of a tremolo arm out when I screwed it in too tight.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Johnny the Kid said:
I think so too. Plus my dad loves doing this kind of stuff with me. He doesn't play guitar, but me and him bonded over opening up a guitar bridge to take the broken stub of a tremolo arm out when I screwed it in too tight.
Click to expand...

That's awesome! My dad taught me guitar and we've have a ton of great memories with guitars.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

If there is already a finish on the neck, use ultra fine sandpaper or 0000 wire wool to take the shine off resulting in a much silkier, faster, satin finish like neck. The friction from your playing will buff it out into a semi gloss again over time so might need sanding again in a few years or so.

Not only is there no need to apply any more finish as you would have only taken very little off, but applying tru oil or any finish other than the one that's currently on there could mess things up big time.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Johnny the Kid said:
I think so too. Plus my dad loves doing this kind of stuff with me. He doesn't play guitar, but me and him bonded over opening up a guitar bridge to take the broken stub of a tremolo arm out when I screwed it in too tight.
Click to expand...

Could you be any more lame?
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

I dyed the board on one of my guitars. I masked off where the "rosewood" (whatever it really was, it was barely darker than the maple shaft) met the maple. The tape peeled up, and the dye bled into the maple. it was a real PITA getting that sanded back out, since, duh, it dyed the maple... The board looks way better now though. IF you get 3M Pinstripe tape from an auto parts place, that will definitely mask the edge better than the green "Frog Tape" I was using.
 
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

Off topic:
How is bonding with you father "lame"? I wish I could have, but I never got the chance.
BTW, good looking fingerboards, kramersteen!
SJB
 
Last edited:
Re: Dying a Fingerboard and Sanding a Neck

SJ318 said:
Off topic:
How is bonding with you father "lame"? I wish I could have, but I never got the chance.
BTW, good looking fingerboards, kramersteen!
SJB
Click to expand...

I was joking around. My dad has taught me heaps.
 
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