Fretboard refinish

[twocargar]

I got this old, cool Kay Ric clone a while back, and am finally putting it back together.

When I first got it, I cleaned the neck and noticed what seemed like ink from a Sharpie or permanent marker was coming off of the fretboard. It doesn't look like stain, but I could be wrong.

My question is how should I try to strip the rest of the ink/stain safely off? And how to refinish it? It's pretty blotchy as you can see in the close up, and the camera flash brings that out.

 

[Pilgrim]

Be careful - you may buy yourself a lot more work than you want to. I'm not sure I'd try to remove that stain, even if the bass is really nice. If the bass shows wear, I know I'd leave it alone.

 

[Moley13]

If you were ok with a stained look, you could always do some light sanding to get a good surface and then do a really dark stain - cover up the blotches!

Otherwise, if it has been stained in the past, and had years to sit, you have no way of knowing how deep that stain goes, or how even it is - there's probably not a heap you can do.

 

[96tbird]

Typical trick by the old Asian makers: take cheaper species of rosewood (usually a thin veneer) and stain them black to look like ebony.

Whatever you're cleaning with is lifting the dye.

You can get black saddle dye (at a tack shop) and freshen it up. Wear Gloves or your hands will be black! It seems it's clean already because the dye is lifting. Go ahead and apply the dye with a small sponge until evenly coated. Wipe off excess. Let dry. Play.

In the future you'll have to avoid most cleaners and oils as they'll lift the dye. Dry microfiber after every session will keep it clean.

 

[twocargar]

Could I use something like this, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Johnson-Wax-118-006-2.-5-Oz-Black-Leather-Dye/21908014?type=search

or would it need to be saddle dye?

 

[96tbird]

I guess it's fine, stewmac sells saddle dye so I just went to a local tack shop and got some. I figure it's tested to not come off on your a$$. Lol.

 

[sissy kathy]

Why not get Ebony WOOD STAIN? Available at any hardware store.

 

[twocargar]

Why not get Ebony WOOD STAIN? Available at any hardware store.

Yes, I thought of that too. I was hoping for a quick and dirty way to do it. With wood stain I'd have to clear coat over it, right? I'm going to try the saddle dye. Seems like the fastest way.

 

[sissy kathy]

Yes, I thought of that too. I was hoping for a quick and dirty way to do it. With wood stain I'd have to clear coat over it, right? I'm going to try the saddle dye. Seems like the fastest way.

I doubt it. I have some furniture I made that I just waxed after staining; no poly, no varnish, no shellac.

 

[96tbird]

Wood stain is meant to have a finish over it. The saddle dye has more pigment and no oils.

I think stewmac would just sell wood stain for the job if it was better. Brand is Fiebling's

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