Unfinished Fretboard - Please help :(

Lfan

Good day good people

I recently purchased a DIY guitar kit and had it put together however I have a small issue regarding the fretboard.
It has a Maple neck and Maple fretboard, the neck is finished, sprayed, lacquered and buffered however the fretboard is not lacquered and has no finish what so ever, it is in its natural state. I understand that maple fretboards generally have some kind of finish for feel and protection of the wood. I just wanted to find out from you experienced luthiers out there and anyone that has experience with this kind of stuff what kind of simple options I have? Oil, spray, etc? Its a cheapy guitar so I dont want to invest too much into it. If it can be done easily, where can I purchase the finishing products as well? Your input will be highly appreciated

AlanRatcliffe

Oil is your best bet for an easy to apply finish and needs no special tools or equipment. Boiled Linseed is the easiest oil to find (not to be confused with just straight linseed oil though), but gun stock and tung oils are also available.

I haven't tried the Woodoc oil, which seems to be everywhere. Anyone?

Lfan

Thanks Allan!

I think I'll go the oil route since I have no experience in spraying, etc.
Just need to find out where I can find the oils.

Thanks again

Chris-Mason

Tung oil hrdware centre ferndale Randburg centre opposite Andy McGibbons last shop they will have everything you need. Having read up a lot about tung oil the first two coats should be mixed with thinners for maximum penertration 40% thinners and 70% tung oil, check this out with harware centre as they are the experts. Any thoughts on this.
Saddle and nut

AlanRatcliffe

Saddle and Nut wrote: Tung oil hrdware centre ferndale Randburg centre opposite Andy McGibbons last shop they will have everything you need. Having read up a lot about tung oil the first two coats should be mixed with thinners for maximum penertration 40% thinners and 70% tung oil, check this out with harware centre as they are the experts. Any thoughts on this.

My favourite oil, although you can't really build up a thick or gloss finish with it. ? I use a 50/50 mix for first coat on maple, 70/30 for second and 100/0 for third.

BTW - your percentages add up to 110%. ?

psyx

You can also try Danish oil if you cant find Tung oil... Recently used it on my natural finish ibby. Its a bit better than linseed oil and not that expensive

Chris-Mason

Sorry about my percentages, meant 40% thinners and 60% tung. Must be the effects of the drugs I had during recent surgery. What ba pluts I am.
Saddle and cannot add the nuts

Chocklit_Thunda

sand the fretboard down to at least 400 grit and then use steel wool before you oil it. It will be silky smooth

Psean

Saddle and Nut wrote: Tung oil hrdware centre ferndale Randburg centre opposite Andy McGibbons last shop they will have everything you need. Having read up a lot about tung oil the first two coats should be mixed with thinners for maximum penertration 40% thinners and 70% tung oil, check this out with harware centre as they are the experts. Any thoughts on this.
Saddle and nut

Yup. Just bought some Tung from them the other day.
BTW, the tin I got recommends diluting with white spirits. It smells like thinners but has no ingredients listed so I don't know what chemicals are in either. Any difference?

psyx

Psean wrote:
Saddle and Nut wrote: Tung oil hrdware centre ferndale Randburg centre opposite Andy McGibbons last shop they will have everything you need. Having read up a lot about tung oil the first two coats should be mixed with thinners for maximum penertration 40% thinners and 70% tung oil, check this out with harware centre as they are the experts. Any thoughts on this.
Saddle and nut
Yup. Just bought some Tung from them the other day.
BTW, the tin I got recommends diluting with white spirits. It smells like thinners but has no ingredients listed so I don't know what chemicals are in either. Any difference?

White spirits is mineral turpentine...

Psean

Thanks.

Psean

Quick question. I've been refinishing a maple neck with a rosewood board with Tung. The first coat (diluted 60/40) was quite runny and some gradually dripped round onto the fretboard (on about two frets) before I wiped the excess off. Is oil on a rosewood board a bad thing? Whats best; clean it off or oil the rest of the fretboard? I'm guessing cleaning it off is the best option but just want to be sure.

Thanks

AlanRatcliffe

Clean it off. It's a finish, rather than a treatment.

Psean

Gotcha. Thanks again Alan.