Birdseye Fretboard - Durable wipe on finish

[chinjazz]

Happy 2019 All!

As some of you have seen, I’m at no loss for questions into new territory for my bass building adventures...

I’ve got a beautiful Birdseye board and want to achieve a clean durable finish after I radius and fill these birds eyes with epoxy.

I’m looking to possibly install the frets after a few coats if possible. Basically like a clean satin look - not the traditional Fender globbed on nitro after the frets go on look...

I’m looking for ideas on what to apply as a finish? Kind of think it should be a wipe on, but I’m not that into Tru-Oil. I’ll probably pop the grain with shallac before hand..

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[bholder]

drool for the pics and subbed for learning.

 

[thisSNsucks]

Minwax wipe on poly?

I personally like the satin formula more than the gloss.

You can use it over shellac no problem. I’d say just a wash coat of shellac and 2-3 coats of poly.

 

[chinjazz]

Minwax wipe on poly?

I personally like the satin formula more than the gloss.

You can use it over shellac no problem. I’d say just a wash coat of shellac and 2-3 coats of poly.

Thanks! Mind my asking what you like about the satin Minwax? I have some gloss but just curious...

 

[thisSNsucks]

I think the satin is a bit more forgiving and looks better.

I only like a gloss finish if it’s dead flat and has a mirror shine. Tough to do with a wipe on poly.

The satin holds up really nice. I usually hit it with some paste wax after and there’s enough sheen for me.

I’ve done before fretting too and it worked fine. You can thin it with mineral spirits too to really lay it down thin and smooth.

 

[chinjazz]

I think the satin is a bit more forgiving and looks better.

I only like a gloss finish if it’s dead flat and has a mirror shine. Tough to do with a wipe on poly.

The satin holds up really nice. I usually hit it with some paste wax after and there’s enough sheen for me.

I’ve done before fretting too and it worked fine. You can thin it with mineral spirits too to really lay it down thin and smooth.

Awesome, thanks!
I’ll pick up a can and start on a test piece.

 

[chinjazz]

It’s been a while, but I just got to this point with finishing the fretboard.

Special thanks to @thisSNsucks on recommending the satin wipe on poly! I like it! I applied about 4 thin coats after I addressed the ‘eye’ holes with epoxy.

Above are some pics I took today...

Cheers!

 

[2112]

Special thanks to @thisSNsucks on recommending the satin wipe on poly! I like it! I applied about 4 thin coats after I addressed the ‘eye’ holes with epoxy.

Congratulations on the excellent results, it's a beautiful board!

Quick question, I really don't have any woodworking experience so this might come across as reasonably naïve: why is it necessary to "address" the birdseyes with epoxy before the poly goes on? Wouldn't the poly fill the eyes as successive layers are applied and buffed/polished?

 

[chinjazz]

Congratulations on the excellent results, it's a beautiful board!

Quick question, I really don't have any woodworking experience so this might come across as reasonably naïve: why is it necessary to "address" the birdseyes with epoxy before the poly goes on? Wouldn't the poly fill the eyes as successive layers are applied and buffed/polished?

Hey 2112,

On this particular board the birds eyes were like little creators and frankly I preferred to fill, then level them out. Preference I suppose.

Thanks for the compliment

 

[2112]

Hey 2112,

On this particular board the birds eyes were like little creators and frankly I preferred to fill, then level them out. Preference I suppose.

Thanks for the compliment

You bet... and good information, thank you!