Would this be good to coat my fretless neck with?

back as a wolf · #1 07-16-2009, 09:20 PM

After several attempts trying to coat the fingerboard of my MIM Fretless Jazz, I still have not gotten the results that I wanted. First I used some sort of polyurethane spray on finish, but it wasn't nearly as durable as I needed it to be. So I sanded it back down to the rosewood, and then tried a lacquer type spray that claimed to be "durable" but it still was not what I was looking for. So now I have the neck nearly sanded back down the the rosewood (btw, I've been using a radiusing block from stewmac). I was wondering if anyone had any experience with applying loctite glues or epoxies to their fretboards. More specifically, I was looking at their quick set epoxy. The link can be found here:

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/repai...=9&Product=157

Would this be durable enough? How would I go about applying it? I was thinking maybe a sponge brush. I know I would need to buy multiple ones. If anyone has any tips or recommendations, that would be great. Thanks!

ByF · #2 07-16-2009, 10:22 PM

Marine epoxy or dilute cyanoacrylate (superglue) are the traditional materials. Both will be very hard when they cure.

I think you would want something with more working time than a quick set epoxy--I can't come up with a product name, but there are some epoxies you can work with for an hour or so before they become hard.

I think Dan Erlewine describes his method for using cyanoacrylate in one of his books.

Ed

back as a wolf · #3 07-17-2009, 08:39 PM

Thanks, ByF. How about another one of loctite's epoxies? Or is there anywhere I can buy a large container of superglue to use?

**SamanthaCay** · #4 07-17-2009, 09:27 PM

Hi I happen to have experience with both cyanoacrylate and a slow set epoxy, purchased at home depot. I use the super glue when I’m just trying to coat the fingerboard in order to protect it. I use the epoxy on a finger board that is ether snaked and/or completely unplayable. with epoxy I build a fence around the neck using masking tape and add about a 1/4" of epoxy to the fingerboard all in one coat. I let it dry for 24 hours and then level and re radius it. with the super glue witch can usually be bought at your local hobby store, this is the stuff you want http://www.bsi-inc.com/Pages/hobby/ca.html . I would protect the back of the neck with masking tape and apply a drop of glue and spread it out with my finger very quickly as to not glue my self to the neck. this stuff sets in 5 seconds! then I repeat this process until I have it good and thick I would say maybe 4 or 5 coats than I level it, fine sand it and even buff it some times to get a high gloss. Anyways I hope this helps, good luck

kalle74 · #5 07-19-2009, 12:18 AM

marine epoxy. system 3, west system or similar. 6-12 thin coats.

bassmasta94 · #6 07-21-2009, 07:53 PM

If you are looking to slide better try rubbing your fretboard down with Mineral Oil, it make it a lot easier to slide.

back as a wolf · #7 07-21-2009, 08:19 PM

Update: I took the cyanoacrylate route. Much thanks to all who replied. I went out to my local Lowe's and picked up four 20 gram bottles of Loctite, and some various grits of sandpaper. After an entire day's work outside on Saturday (the fingerboard was previously VERY uneven so a lot sanding needed to be done before application), the neck was finished. I found this article very useful by the way:
http://www.bassplayer.com/article/su...r/jun-06/20674

I'm surprised with how good it sounds; it came out wonderfully. But does anyone know how long the superglue lasts or how durable it is?