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Defretting: epoxy question

mister-o

mister-o

Mar 9, 2008
199
0
chapel hill, north carolina
#1
Hey TBers, this is my first post, so go easy!

I decided to take my old fretted Ibanez that I no longer play and convert it to a fretless. Last night I successfull removed the frets with quite minimal damage (I mauled the board a little on the 24th fret -- the first one I tried -- but got cleaner very fast) and got all the supplies I needed this morning before work save one: the local hardware store didn't have any sort of epoxy coat I could use.

I found Invalid Link Removed at Lowes and was wondering if it would be OK to use to finish the product after I've filled the holes, sanded, and so forth. If not, can anyone recommend another readily available product?

Also, do I need to get some acetone for the pre-epoxy board, or for between epoxy coats?

Thanks!
-- o
 
#2
I like to epoxy (contrasting or complimenting) wood veneer into the fret slots. once cured I then level the new fingerboard, wipe it down to remove any dust, and then utilize multiple coats System3 Mirror Coat to build up a finish

after it's cured for a week or two I then level the fingerboard with one of the large aluminum radius blocks from StewMac before polishing at the buffer

all the best,

R
 
#3
mister-o said:
I found Invalid Link Removed/QUOTE]

Um... that stuff is designed to coat table tops and such... you may have seen tables at bars or bistros with pictures or objects (small coins, etc.) embedded in the table top under a clear coat - that's what this stuff is for. I once considered trying this stuff as a clear finish on instruments as it builds INCREDIBLY quickly, and I figured that it couldn't be any worse than the poly on my Fender guitars...

However, here's the conclusion I came to, after looking into it: it doesn't appear to be remotely durable enough for an instrument finish, much less a fretless fingerboard, which will see quite a bit of wear. The stuff I've seen at bars tends to take scratches quite easily.
Click to expand...
 
#4
SDB Guitars said:
However, here's the conclusion I came to, after looking into it: it doesn't appear to be remotely durable enough for an instrument finish, much less a fretless fingerboard, which will see quite a bit of wear. The stuff I've seen at bars tends to take scratches quite easily.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, thanks for the feedback. I guess then I'm hoping they'll have something harder (and in smaller quantity) when I go to the store!
 

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