Lacquer flaking on the fingerboard edges

[harry]

Hi

I have a Warmoth vintage modern neck in quartersawn maple and pau ferro fingerboard and the warmoth "clear satin" finish.

I'm almost done with my build, and yesterday I noticed something strange on the edges of the neck. On the pau ferro part of the edge I can see some lacquer flacking off. Just very small amounts, but noticeable in the right light conditions. Take a look at the attached picture.

I always thought that it was not supposed to be lacquer on the edges of a non lacquer fingerboard, or am I wrong? What can I do about this?

 

[AutoBat]

It's far less noticeable than the peeling pickguard film.

 

[Day-mun]

I always thought that it was not supposed to be lacquer on the edges of a non lacquer fingerboard, or am I wrong? What can I do about this?

Other manufacturers also finish that area as well. I have had difficulty getting my own finishes to stay put on the 'board edge (-esp.  on the treble side where my fingering hand touches a lot), but I've not had that issue with a W finish before.

What do I do about it? -Come to acceptance and just enjoy the instrument.

 

[stratamania]

We discussed something related and similar here.

http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=23630.msg346002#msg346002

 

[Hbom]

Have you contacted Warmoth yet?
That's always the 1st best answer.

I've seen that sometimes on certain brands of guitars. Usually not a big problem unless the lacquer starts falling off in chunks and leaving holes that you can feel as you play..

Rosewood- When it was pretty bad, I masked off the fret board and the side of the neck leaving just the edge of the fb exposed. Then I carefully sanded the lacquer off 150-220-320. Cleaned real well with Naptha and coated with clear lacquer. I learned this from a guy who re-coats with clear nail polish. And that works too.
Could just as easily be left unfinished and sanded to 600-800 but I do what the owner wants.

Ebony- I sand it as above but don't refinish.

I've never had this issue with Pau Ferro but I think I would treat it like Rosewood.

If it's not flaking off, I would just rock the hell out of it until it does.
:rock-on:

 

[harry]

Thanks for all the input.

I understand this is a know "problem area". I have now emailed warmth just to check out what they say.

Maybe this is a "the first cut is the deepest" issue for me I have been so thoroughly about my build regarding screws and lacquer checking etc. So it's a little pity when I'm so satisfied with all of the other work.

It seems that the "rock the hell out it" option is the most valid one here....

 

[harry]

Got an answer from Warmoth, and they tell med the same story as the rest of you here. They also gave me a tips of "using a dab of super glue on the flaked area to keep it from spreading". I don't know if I will mess with super glue jet... I think I will only use a fine grit sandpaper to just keep the edges flush so I don't feel anything when I play. 

It's far less noticeable than the peeling pickguard film.

I'm not 100% finish with the build yet. I don't have the "removing-the-pickguard-film-ceremony" before I'm finished with the build ;-)

 

[Hbom]

Good luck.
Please keep us informed on how it works out.
D