Official Luthiers Forum!

has anyone ever heard of a cyano finish aka superglue. Ive heard somebody use it once and got it to look buff up really nice and professional. Does anyone have an idea on how they do it?

Pick a viscosity based on how fast you are, squeegee it on, and point a fan across it if you don't want to have a faceful of agony. I only ever used it on a flat surface, but it came out quite nice.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I remember hearing of a high-end acoustic builder (I won't mention his name) using CA for a neck finish and having to refinish them all.

Don't use an adhesive as a finish. There are many good finishes to choose from.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Other that an oil like lemon oil, linseed oil and other drying oils I would never put a finish on a fretboard. it is only going to be worn away and end up looking dirty (acoustic guitars, mandos and ukes) there are reasons on maple fretboards but then again still not my cup of tea.

There was an article in GAL by RE Brune in which he mentioned that he applies CA to fingerboards.

I did not read that artical. I wonder if he was sealing pores of finishing. My guess he was sealing pores as CA makes a terible finish coat as it will yellow with uv exposer

Fretboards have no need for a finish.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I'll borrow a line from Colin and modify it a bit..... I am of the school that believes that CA is a glue and not a finish.....

Don't knock it if you have'nt tried it. CA can work well as a finish. I have used it on the fretboards of a fretless basses. The intent was a hard finish that would be resistant to string wear. I have since switched to an epoxy finish for fretless instruments, as that seems to be harder than CA.

But it agree that for a normal fretted instrument, a finish is not needed on the fretboard unless it is maple or another light colored wood.

I know that Pen makers use CA almost exclusively to finish pens, myself included. It is easy to apply, durable and keeps the wood's original color. Upon hearing the idea in the original post, I immediately thought it was a good idea.

The fingerboard needs no finish and of you really determined to finish it for some odd
reason, CA glue would be one of the absolute worst substances you could possibly choose
to coat it with.

It is not a durable wear surface for an area that is exposed to so much aggressive contact.

I've never seen any experienced builder use it on their fingerboards, but would be interested
in hearing of any who have and their reasons behind it.

It's alright on you Strat's Maple fingerboard, but not on your Ebony or Rosewood fingerboards.


Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars