Neck finishing

[DevinF]

I'm ordering a Birdseye maple neck/fingerboard from Warmoth fairly soon and while I was putting it all together I realized the vintage gloss cost an extra $105! Which is why I am now looking at doing it myself.

First question, does Stewmac have good stuff (specifically their aerosol amber)?

how practical is spraying in my garage?

Will the aerosol lacquer take months to completely set like some lacquers?

Do I just spray over the frets and sand off the finish later?

How many cans will it take to finish one neck?

And finally, will it be worth it from a quality standpoint?

Thanks,
Devin

 

[Fasoldt Basses]

Spraying with aerosol lacquer is an exercise in patience and attention to detail, but it can be rewarding. If you think that you'll enjoy the process, it's probably worth it, but it could easily take up more than $105 worth of your time & money.

 

[DevinF]

Then I will likely just order it finished. I have the time (schools out for summer) but I don't have money (there are no jobs available for summer) haha, oh well

 

[DevinF]

I have spray equipment, so do you know of any good vintage amber tint clear coat that will work without take 2-3 months to dry(!)

 

[praisegig]

If you are not stuck on nitro, you might think about this finish. Alot less money and feels awesome vs a nitro finish.

Link Removed

 

[DevinF]

I Heard both great and not so great things about reranch aerosols. Have you had any experience using them?

 

[praisegig]

I Heard both great and not so great things about reranch aerosols. Have you had any experience using them?

I use them all the time and not had any bad problems. I'm doing a Surf Green SX Pbass now and with the ReRanch nitro primer, color, and clears, and it looks great. Sometimes mixing different maker's stuff and/or types of finish will get you in trouble. If you follow the standard procedures in using nitro, shouldn't have any problems.

But again, If you follow the Tru-oil finish that I posted, I think you will like it, especially if you sweat alot when playing. Sometimes nitro will feel sticky on your hands and now slide as well,it just depends on the person. It is easily applied and repaired, bassically a week to cure out good, where nitro will need approx 30 days to cure well enough to wetsand and polish..

 

[DevinF]

So if i finish my own neck and fretboard can you fill me in on how many cans, how long it will take to completely set and i am still unsure if i just spray over frets and sand them later..

 

[praisegig]

So if i finish my own neck and fretboard can you fill me in on how many cans, how long it will take to completely set and i am still unsure if i just spray over frets and sand them later..

If you use the nitro, then 1 can each should work. You can either file a groove into a penny the same size as your frets and scrape it off or just play it off.

 

[DevinF]

i like the penny idea. would've never thought of that.
So you are suggesting buying two cans? one for the neck, and one for the board???

 

[praisegig]

i like the penny idea. would've never thought of that.
So you are suggesting buying two cans? one for the neck, and one for the board???

You can use one can for the color (Neck amber) and one can of clear nitro. The color goes a long way, starting with misting coats to get to the color desired, then start the clears. I've sprayed in my workshop or outside, with good success. The desired humidity levels is below 60% to keep the clears from blushing, temps doesn't make to much difference. Wear a good respirator made for organic vapors, don't want to fry the brain cells. Nitro is an an easy finish to apply and repair, with quality results if procedures are followed.