Painting fretboard black

[Berberdeng]

I posted this in the bass forum but was redirected here.

There are some older posts on this subject but I’m wondering in 2020 what the general recommendation for this is. I want to turn my rosewood fretboard as black as possible and just want some clear directions on how to safely do it and what is the consensus on the best material to use. Any info is greatly appreciated!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

This is what I've typically seen used to "ebonize" a fretboard. I used it to dye a tan leather guitar strap jet black 30 years ago, and it's still jet black. It's alcohol based, and soaks well into the wood, so I can't see it wearing off quickly, but if it gets some light spots, you just put it on again. I've been using the Stewmac Fingerboard oil, which is some kind of thinned linseed oil with dryers, excellent stuff. It penetrates into the wood, dries quickly, and seals it up without leaving a thick surface coat, just looks like a freshly oiled board. I would think you could dye the board, then put the Stewmac oil over it to seal it in , or maybe even tint the Stewmac oil with Feibings? Science! Wear gloves! This stuff will dye any skin it gets on black, and it takes a while to wear off.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Lea...leather+dye&qid=1598696057&sr=8-5&tag=mh0b-20

Stewmac sells it too, it's the same dye with their label slapped on it. They mention that you need to get any oil off the board with naptha, and sand it so it uniformly absorbs dye, sounds like a PITA if your frets are already in.
Black Fingerboard Stain | stewmac.com

People have literally painted boards, but I can't see it working for long, any surface applied material has got to wear through eventually, and it will wear right where you expect it to, in the "money zone" between nut and the 5th fret or so. Some people have used black CA glue on fretless boards. That might soak in a little if you used a water thin version, sounds messy and nasty, but it might work. Good luck! Maybe there is some new miracle ebonizer I haven't heard of, and somebody will weigh in.

 

[dwizum]

Can you clarify exactly what you're looking for in a final product? Do you want "black wood" (i.e. something that looks like ebony, but is 100% black) or do you want a uniform, grain free plastic-like black surface (i.e. to match a glossy black body)?

 

[Scoops]

This is what I've typically seen used to "ebonize" a fretboard. I used it to dye a tan leather guitar strap jet black 30 years ago, and it's still jet black. It's alcohol based, and soaks well into the wood, so I can't see it wearing off quickly, but if it gets some light spots, you just put it on again. I've been using the Stewmac Fingerboard oil, which is some kind of thinned linseed oil with dryers, excellent stuff. It penetrates into the wood, dries quickly, and seals it up without leaving a thick surface coat, just looks like a freshly oiled board. I would think you could dye the board, then put the Stewmac oil over it to seal it in , or maybe even tint the Stewmac oil with Feibings? Science! Wear gloves! This stuff will dye any skin it gets on black, and it takes a while to wear off.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Lea...leather+dye&qid=1598696057&sr=8-5&tag=mh0b-20

Stewmac sells it too, it's the same dye with their label slapped on it. They mention that you need to get any oil off the board with naptha, and sand it so it uniformly absorbs dye, sounds like a PITA if your frets are already in.
Black Fingerboard Stain | stewmac.com

People have literally painted boards, but I can't see it working for long, any surface applied material has got to wear through eventually, and it will wear right where you expect it to, in the "money zone" between nut and the 5th fret or so. Some people have used black CA glue on fretless boards. That might soak in a little if you used a water thin version, sounds messy and nasty, but it might work. Good luck! Maybe there is some new miracle ebonizer I haven't heard of, and somebody will weigh in.

I'll concur with Gilly here.

Most rosewood based fingerboards are oily. The ones I've tried to turn black don't turn black, they just get darker
I've tried things like Transtint in oil, and alcohol based aniline dyes, and even straight Transtint. It usually comes off to a certain degree.

I haven't tried the Fiebings though.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Heh, I once saw a cheap guitar for sale at a pawn shop that had pretty clearly been "ebonized" with a black sharpie, it had that weird, slightly iridescent purple sheen, and came off on your hands when you played it. Win! They should have completed the cheesy vibe by sealing it in with hairspray.

 

[Fender4Me]

The Fiebings is the way to go. Its the only thing Ive found that will turn rosewood black. WEAR RUBBER GLOVES ! Sand the rosewood first and clean with naptha or lighter fluid . Tape off anything that you do not want to turn black.

 

[Slidlow]

You should be able to find Fiebings at any shoe repair shop.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

FYI, I guess they make a low VOC version of the Feibings now, but I don't know if it's better or worse. Get the "old" stinky VOC stuff, at least we know it works on rosewood.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

You could try Tandy Leather or another leather craft place for Feibings. That’s where I got the last batch of dyes I had. Hobby Lobby has the low VOC black. It works ok. I haven’t tried it on rosewood however.

 

[Paulabass]

If you try the Stew-Mac version it is VERY good, but I found it very messy and tedious. You have to work meticulously. For years I've been using 1part Minwax ebony stain to 2 parts Birchwood Casey gunstock oil. I goes nice and dark without looking like paint.

 

[fhm555]

This is what I've typically seen used to "ebonize" a fretboard. I used it to dye a tan leather guitar strap jet black 30 years ago, and it's still jet black. It's alcohol based, and soaks well into the wood, so I can't see it wearing off quickly, but if it gets some light spots, you just put it on again. I've been using the Stewmac Fingerboard oil, which is some kind of thinned linseed oil with dryers, excellent stuff. It penetrates into the wood, dries quickly, and seals it up without leaving a thick surface coat, just looks like a freshly oiled board. I would think you could dye the board, then put the Stewmac oil over it to seal it in , or maybe even tint the Stewmac oil with Feibings? Science! Wear gloves! This stuff will dye any skin it gets on black, and it takes a while to wear off.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Lea...leather+dye&qid=1598696057&sr=8-5&tag=mh0b-20

Stewmac sells it too, it's the same dye with their label slapped on it. They mention that you need to get any oil off the board with naptha, and sand it so it uniformly absorbs dye, sounds like a PITA if your frets are already in.
Black Fingerboard Stain | stewmac.com

People have literally painted boards, but I can't see it working for long, any surface applied material has got to wear through eventually, and it will wear right where you expect it to, in the "money zone" between nut and the 5th fret or so. Some people have used black CA glue on fretless boards. That might soak in a little if you used a water thin version, sounds messy and nasty, but it might work. Good luck! Maybe there is some new miracle ebonizer I haven't heard of, and somebody will weigh in.

^This^

 

[bound'n'blocked]

i watched this guy "ebonize" a fretboard. Seemed simple enough to me.



BnB

 

[Berberdeng]

Thanks for all the replies! I’ve definitely got some stuff to consider. My main worry is damaging the fretboard in some way. The mention of sanding it down makes me super nervous because, well, I don’t know what I’m doing lol.

To clarify why I want to do this and what for: I got a Fender Aerodyne recently that I want to black out as much as possible. Usually the Aerodynes already come with an ebonized fretboard and it looks pretty dark but for whatever reason the ones make from 2017-2020 aren’t darkened whatsoever and it is super boring. Mine is a 2018. It’s definitely one the first aesthetic changes I want to make.

 

[Berberdeng]

 

[dwizum]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Fiebings product or an equivalent was what Fender used to "ebonize" their boards. Stewmac claims it is used by Gibson and PRS, and other suppliers sell the same thing and make similar claims (i.e. Allen Guitars sell it and use it on their blanks, and claim it is "used by many large manufacturers").