Darkening a fretboard…

[fek]

I almost bought the Monty's stuff for a LTD Skolnick model that I have. Great guitar but the board is much lighter than I would like it to be. Looking for an easy project to get back into the swing of things and this could be it!

 

[rsm]

Thanks for all the input. I did a quick search and saw this. The brush pens I got are waterproof. I have to assume the inlays Ibanez used are plastic, but that’s just a guess.

View attachment 411685

Stew Mac uses / sells the non-waterproof, so that's what I used; ink is cheaper on Amazon, and free shipping.


https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...ain/?queryid=820124cfba233e0e862a451f42e14512

 

[JerEvil]

Stew Mac uses / sells the non-waterproof, so that's what I used; ink is cheaper on Amazon, and free shipping.


https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...ain/?queryid=820124cfba233e0e862a451f42e14512

Yeah just saw that. I got these. I’m going to try it on a guitar I don’t “love” to see how it goes. I got the brush tip markers a few days ago, to try and keep stuff off the inlays just in case.

I’m gonna grab the Higgjn’s version as well and test.

 

[* velcro-fly *]

It wont permanently darken it but Music Nomad F-One Oil will bring it several shades darker and condition at same time....

https://www.musicnomadcare.com/Products/Fretboard-F-ONE-Oil-2-oz/

 

[D-Rock]

I've used Nomad F-One oil to naturally darken a few of my fretboards. Never trusted the ink/dye approach since I've seen it come off on other guitars.

 

[* velcro-fly *]

I've used Nomad F-One oil to naturally darken a few of my fretboards. Never trusted the ink/dye approach since I've seen is come off on other guitars.

Yeah I’ve used it regularly now for a couple years, it gets way darker, good stuff

 

[Floyd Eye]

Used India ink to do my first tattoo when I was 12. It’s still there. Unfortunately.

 

[Exo-metal]

This is a dark thread.

 

[vultures]

I've used India Ink to darken fretboards; I had no issues with inlays or binding. Make sure it's not waterproof.

This is what I used:

I've used Higgins on multiple boards. It works great. I've never used it on a fretted board though. I've used it on boards I've refretted and reprofiled the radius so YMMV.

My process:

• Clean board with Acetone and/or Mineral Spirits.
• Heavy coat with a shop paper towel for full coverage and immediately wipe away excess
• Let it set overnight
• Next day: Lay another coat down, wipe away excess
• Let it set overnight
• Next day: Burnish it with steel wool

This is a Burny I refretted. Rosewood board that now looks black as hell in person.

 

[jb44]

Indicator dye from our chem lab. LOL. I wonder if this would work. Not very water soluble.

 

[cardinal]

I'd be careful with acetone. Naphtha should do the trick and is safe for whatever finish and plastic you'd run into.

 

[7704A]

You could try Noodler's Bulletproof Black fountain pen ink. It's a waterproof, archival ink that chemically bonds with cellulose to make it extremely hard to remove from paper. Given wood is cellulose too, it might do the job. Very black.
https://www.gouletpens.com/products/noodlers-black-3oz-bottled-ink

 

[fek]

This is a Burny I refretted. Rosewood board that now looks black as hell in person.
View attachment 411734

View attachment 411733

Nice fretwork! You have some skills.

 

[njshred]

 

[Eazy-ESP]

Am I the only one that thinks it looks great as is? Let it be.

Also, I believe what you are planning on doing is called black face and is quite frowned upon these days.