Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jon Pruett on February 23, 2011 at 10:05am

My current preference is several coats of tung oil finish.  Works good for all the wood on the neck, fretboard, and body. Of course lots of other stuff can work, but this one is simple to apply, forgiving if you need to sand and refinish, and reasonably cheap to boot.

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on February 24, 2011 at 12:02am

I always used lemon oil on my guitar fretboards, i suppose that would be ok to use also...?

 As for finish meaning sanding , i have fine grade wet and dry 400 /600 / 800 for my current project, hoping this will be smooth enough.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Jon Pruett on February 24, 2011 at 2:30am

That should work just fine. I usually feel fine stopping at the 400.

Permalink Reply by Rick on December 3, 2013 at 2:06pm

I thought I would revive this thread, I have the same question. How are you guys finishing your necks? I'm in the middle of my first build and trying to decide what I should use to seal it up, if anything. I am leaning towards a Polyurethane varnish. My neck is oak and the frets are installed. 

Permalink Reply by Barsymes Cratchnee on January 8, 2014 at 7:36pm

I got a lot of advice and varying opinions on this and ending up setting with lemon oil finish on a hardwood/exotic wood fret board and apply Tru-oil (Gunstock Oil Finish) for the neck.   I will tell you I am incredibly pleased with how hard and smooth of a finish you get with the Tru-oil.  Easy to apply, just rub it on, light high grit sanding between coats if you need more than one coat.  I also couldn't believe how well this brought out the natural wood color/grain on my walnut neck.  I got 32 ounces of it for 17 dollars on amazon. 

Permalink Reply by Jason Kratovil on February 23, 2014 at 2:50pm

My preference is Waterlox for necks. It's a tung oil-based varnish, is incredibly easy to apply, and gives outstanding results with consistency.  

I don't know about using it on a fret board, though. I am more inclined to stick with plain old lemon oil or Guitar Honey.

Permalink Reply by Steve Mattox on March 2, 2014 at 5:42pm

I don't put a finish on my fret boards at all....I just use fast fret on the board when im finished with it and at anytime it looks dry or at string changes.... it looks and works great.....also will help strings last and play smooth ............

Permalink Reply by Dan Mullen on March 18, 2014 at 12:01am

I was thinking about applying about 4 coats of tru-oil and buffing it out to a nice gloss.  Should I apply finish to the fret board before I install the fret wire or after?

Dan