Accidentally used the wrong wood filler...

Journey55 · #1 12-12-2011, 09:38 PM

So I took the frets off a squier I had lying around (just for a project) and I assume I used the wrong wood filler cause I've applied like seven coats of wood stain and it's still white....and ideas on how to fix it or do I just paint the whole neck? (btw I'm only 17 so I'm not the most experienced craftsman)

CPA935 · #2 12-12-2011, 09:39 PM

Well if you can't stain them the way you want, they can make great fret markers !

Journey55 · #3 12-12-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPA935

Well if you can't stain them the way you want, they can make great fret markers !

They aren't the most even spots....or else I'd leave it like that

Pilgrim · #4 12-12-2011, 09:53 PM

Get a craft saw that's .022 thick (typical thickness) at a hobby store, saw the filler out of the fret slots so they are clean, then get wood veneer in .020 thickness and super glue it in place, then trim off the edges and sand lightly to smooth it out. It's a better material than wood filler.

darkstorm · #5 12-12-2011, 10:01 PM

If pilgrims suggestion is more then you want to tackle, Take it to lutheir whose experienced with adding fretlines etc.

Show pics please. perhaps the uneveness of color looks better then your currently thinking it does?

Do not paint your fretboard. Terrible thing to contemplate. Its not a estaban tv informercial bass guitar. Paint will wear off quickly from fretting, look terrible quickly, feel horrible for fretboard surface and just be nasty thing to do. Lol.

Journey55 · #6 12-13-2011, 04:46 AM

There's a few pics of it

Pilgrim · #7 12-13-2011, 08:30 PM

I'm shuddering just looking. PLEASE tell me that there is filler smeared all around the fret lines and that you didn't chip away all that rosewood when you pulled the frets!

grisezd · #8 12-13-2011, 08:46 PM

Get the correct radius sanding block and get sanding. I'm thinking that once you get past the smeared filler the white lines won't bother you. On the next one use glued in veneer instead of filler!

Jazzdogg · #9 12-13-2011, 08:49 PM

I'd resurface the entire fingerboard, removing all of the material that's contaminating its surface.

I've seen a lot of fingerboards ruined by the inexperienced. Hire a pro, or proceed at your own risk.

If you remove too much material, you'll have to deepen the nut slots or replace the nut.

I've seen a lot of fingerboards ruined by the inexperienced. Hire a pro, or proceed at your own risk.

If you aren't careful, strings will buzz unexpectedly, and neither raising the action nor adjusting the truss rod will solve the problem.

I've seen a lot of fingerboards ruined by the inexperienced. Hire a pro, or proceed at your own risk.

Although the putty doesn't take stain, it may take aniline dye after all of the infiltration has been removed.

I've seen a lot of fingerboards ruined by the inexperienced. Hire a pro, or proceed at your own risk.

Journey55 · #10 12-13-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I'm shuddering just looking. PLEASE tell me that there is filler smeared all around the fret lines and that you didn't chip away all that rosewood when you pulled the frets!

It smeared a lot, I would be really sad if all that was ripped up wood. However if I inadvertently ruined this neck it would be too much of a killer for me, it's more of an experiment. I'd rather not ruin it and I'd be sad if I did but it happens when learning.....

T-Bird · #11 12-13-2011, 10:20 PM

Hi.

+1 for the radius-block and elbow grease suggestion.

If something that landed on my bench, I'd probably plane it straight, and would install a veneer if the look of a non-lined was important.

A coloured epoxy is obviously a theoretical option, but judging by the looks of it now, I wouldn't if I were You.

Regards
Sam

Pilgrim · #12 12-15-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Journey55

It smeared a lot, I would be really sad if all that was ripped up wood. However if I inadvertently ruined this neck it would be too much of a killer for me, it's more of an experiment. I'd rather not ruin it and I'd be sad if I did but it happens when learning.....

Then I agree with others - sand it off GENTLY, with minimal impact on the fretboard and using a radiused sanding block (Stew-Mac carries them, and they're not cheap.) Then decide next step. I'd say that you should consider the note about dyeing above, apply dye and call it good. Otherwise you may make it unplayable.

I'm not a fan of wood filler in fret slots - either veneer or plastic styrene is more solid and IMO provides a much more stable filler.

Before tackling a job like this, it's a much, much better idea to do your research on technique and procedure first. After you know what to do, then pick up the tools.

And there are tons of threads on here about the process of de-fretting.

fhm555 · #13 12-16-2011, 10:47 PM

I've got a splat of solder in the middle of my pg to remind me of what happens when I don't have time to do the job right.

If the neck is a little bumpy from the filler, get some scotchbrite pads and smooth that puppy back out, then wear it out playing it. Stew Mac sells a wood stain specifically for tinting fret boards to look like ebony. Maybe something like that?

Agreed you gotta learn though. I think I was about 9 when I learned that you have to unplug something before you cut the cord to make it longer.

lbwdog · #14 12-16-2011, 11:11 PM

Sad thing is.......By the time you spend the money on proper tools (saw, radiused sanding block, etc.), materials (sandpaper,stain, etc.), you could have bought a fretless Squier neck and have two necks for that bass!

fhm555 · #15 12-16-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

Sad thing is.......By the time you spend the money on proper tools (saw, radiused sanding block, etc.), materials (sandpaper,stain, etc.), you could have bought a fretless Squier neck and have two necks for that bass!

Which is why I said scotchbrite that puppy and use it. No need to waste any more money on it, but no sense in throwing it away if all it needs is a little rubbing.

Maybe rubbing one out will help the OP remember to do a little homework before he pulls the trigger next time?

Just sayin...

Journey55 · #16 12-17-2011, 01:06 PM

Actually it's all smooth, it's more an aesthetic thing, cause I'm pretty sure the wood filler isn't stainable so I was wondering whether I should just keep staining it or something else

darius8 · #17 12-18-2011, 12:03 AM

This stain from stewmac.com says it'll blacken any fingerboard:

STEWMAC.COM : Black Fingerboard Stain

M0ses · #18 12-18-2011, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darius8

This stain from stewmac.com says it'll blacken any fingerboard:

STEWMAC.COM : Black Fingerboard Stain

You're gonna need to use elbow grease. Wood filler is not something you want on top of your fingerboard. It's not flat. But it's only woodfiller, it will come off very easily. Try the scotchbrite, it will almost definitely work out fine. You can stain it after that if you choose.