staining/dying a fretboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Juggernaut
  • Start date Start date
Juggernaut

Juggernaut

Well-known member
I have a rosewood fretboard, wanting to dye or stain it black, would minwax ebony stain work ok?
 
I've never done this but assuming it's completely unfinished, not even oiled, I'd use water based dye stain. That said if it's an older board you might have trouble making it look good, without splotchiness because even oils from your hands will repel the stain. Pigment based stains probably won't achieve the effect I'm think you want.
 
I think the Stew Mac stuff is re-bottled Fiebings leather dye.

"USMC Black", or "Black" have been used alot for the ebony look. Penetrates and stays for awhile, after you prep fretboard first. I think people have used isopropyl alcohol before, in order to break up the wax coating and get it out of the pores, but research the prep part FIRST, because I am not certain.
 
I tried some Minwax ebony on an Ibanez neck, which had recently been treated with some lemon oil
The stain didn't penetrate at all, but at least didn't ruin anything
 
Bob Savage":2v5m347z said:
I've never done this but assuming it's completely unfinished, not even oiled, I'd use water based dye stain. That said if it's an older board you might have trouble making it look good, without splotchiness because even oils from your hands will repel the stain. Pigment based stains probably won't achieve the effect I'm think you want.
Click to expand...
Bet you're right sir. It would probably be best to stain a virgin rosewood fretboard before it's had hand oils get into it.

Greasy cheeseburger fingers.
 
I dyed mine a tint of rust after a dozen hot wings.
 
ended up using fiebings oil dye, from the Tandy leather store, recommended to me by Brent Gutierrez and Dwisted, on my third coat now, looking good so far, forgot to take before pics, but I'll post after I'm done....
 
Juggernaut":3forzboa said:
ended up using fiebings oil dye, from the Tandy leather store, recommended to me by Brent Gutierrez and Dwisted, on my third coat now, looking good so far, forgot to take before pics, but I'll post after I'm done....
Click to expand...


Be careful to keep it off binding, which can be fixed, but bothersome.

Post some pics :thumbsup:
 
With stain, almost immediate (max 5 minutes) wiping is paramount
Any stain that doesn't penetrate the wood, you want off immediately
 
Business":2ad28jr9 said:
With stain, almost immediate (max 5 minutes) wiping is paramount
Any stain that doesn't penetrate the wood, you want off immediately
Click to expand...

Are we still talking about guitars and fingerboards, or has the conversation shifted to how to properly clean up after having your way with the town whore?

:confused:
 
BackCrack":acyiif6k said:
4406cuda":acyiif6k said:
I use this:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishi...erboard_Stain.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=6496
Click to expand...
+1

It's alcohol based, so it dries fairly quickly after it penetrates. The stuff is actually re-bottled leather dye. You might get a little rub-off as time goes by (after a couple years of hard playing), but a simple touch-up takes care of that. Stay away from the oil or water based stuff for rosewood because it will turn out blotchy.
Click to expand...

i have used this product on several guitars and have been real happy with the results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top