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Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
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Author:  John A [ Thu May 24, 2012 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
Hi everyone - simple question -

I have a walnut fingerboard - what finish do I put on it ? should I just seal it with shellac ? that would be easy since I am French polishing now -

anything else to put on it ?



thanks in advance !
Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu May 24, 2012 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
I'd leave it raw.
Author:  bftobin [ Thu May 24, 2012 6:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
Walnut oil ? :lol:
Author:  B. Howard [ Thu May 24, 2012 7:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
I think walnut may be a bit soft for a fretboard, especially if left unfinished. I would most likely finish with a few coats of medium CA.
Author:  DennisK [ Thu May 24, 2012 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
bftobin wrote:
Walnut oil ? :lol:

Really :) I've used walnut oil on lighter colored rosewood fingerboards, and it's nice to pre-darken the wood so it doesn't look splotchy as it absorbs finger oil in the more played areas.
Author:  Spyder [ Thu May 24, 2012 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
I use walnut fingerboards on my dulcimers, and finish them with Tried and True original wood finish. It is an oil finish, you apply in very thin coats. Neat stuff, super easy, and looks and feels fantastic.

Not sure how well it will hold up on a guitar, since the finger pressure on a dulcimer is much less, but this is something so easy to use for great results. i got it at my local WoodCraft store. It was recommended by a fellow who uses it exclusively as a finish on his hammered dulcimers. I've not finished an entire instrument with it yet, but have used it on bones, and can say the stuff is pretty tough.

Also, as an oil finish, it is easy to reaply if necessary.
Author:  Michael.N. [ Fri May 25, 2012 1:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
I used Walnut on a Nylon strung fretboard. Grooves appeared in very little time. As it was a waste wood Guitar I ended up replacing it with Oak, dyed Black. I'd be tempted to go with the CA suggestion.
Author:  John A [ Fri May 25, 2012 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
I too am making a nylon string - it is mostly for me and the amount of playing I get is not much - and when I play - it is not with a gorilla grip. It is my entry for the OLF challenge, so it is local woods -

I'll try the walnut oil - does it need time to dry ? I plan to fret then polish it off with walnut oil - but I need to record right afterwards - all on the due date !
Author:  alan stassforth [ Fri May 25, 2012 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Walnut fingerboard question - what finish ?
I used tung oil on my walnut fb for the challenge.
Lap steel though.
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