Spraying a 100% maple neck

[dmraco]

Looking at doing my 1st maple fretboard.

I usually lacquer my necks.  Questions:

--Any other finishes people recommend?
--If I were to spray lacquer, I assume it will get on the frets.  How do I remove this or will it just come off with playing?
--does playing scratch or hurt the lacquer in between the frets?

Thanks

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Steel wool gets the lacquer off the frest nicely.

And yes, eventually you will get wear/scratches on the lacquer, but it takes a long time.

 

[Tonar8352]

Make sure you tape off the fretboard before removing the finish from the frets with the 0000 steel wool.

Yes the finish will ware just like a vintage Fender. Bigger frets will slow the process and your finger shape will impact ware also.

 

[alterbridgefan]

I don't understand why you wouldn't want it to wear. Germophobe? :laughing7:

 

[dmraco]

An issues with playing the finish off?

Toner....do you typically lacquer maple?  What finishes are used on the older Charvels and the new Evh guitars?  Feels almost like natural wood.  Is that linseed oil??

 

[john_p_wi]

An issues with playing the finish off?

Toner....do you typically lacquer maple?  What finishes are used on the older Charvels and the new Evh guitars?  Feels almost like natural wood.  Is that linseed oil??

I've owned an USA Charvel since new in '83 with an all maple Birdseye neck.  I believe that they used Watco Danish oil.  After 30 years it is drying out, probably time for a touch-up coat.  It was the best feeling new neck ever.

 

[dmraco]

An issues with playing the finish off?

Toner....do you typically lacquer maple?  What finishes are used on the older Charvels and the new Evh guitars?  Feels almost like natural wood.  Is that linseed oil??

I've owned an USA Charvel since new in '83 with an all maple Birdseye neck.  I believe that they used Watco Danish oil.  After 30 years it is drying out, probably time for a touch-up coat.  It was the best feeling new neck ever.

I feel the same about my 80s Charvel.  But it has a rosewood fretboard

 

[Tonar8352]

I only lacquer the fretboard and headstock then I do the hand rubbed oil finish on the back.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

An issues with playing the finish off?

Just that you won't know if you've levelled the frets or the finish.

 

[DangerousR6]

If I recall, I seem to remember someone using tru oil on a maple neck...

But personally for maple I just use some fretboard conditioner(lemon oil) every now and then. 'Cause generally I hate a finish on my necks... :dontknow:

 

[stubhead]

I've done all the fretwork on a unfinished maple neck then used Tru-Oil over the whole thing. Putting it on by hand, the finish just doesn't stick to the frets the way that spraying some lacquer on them would. Polished stainless steel frets don't give the Tru-Oil much to hang on to - I forgot it entirely, just started playing.