Subject: epoxy coating
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998Howdy. You posted on rec.music.makers.builders, so now you have to answer a builder's question...
Some people have reported using a marine epoxy [finish?] on fingerboards of fretless basses. The result is a clear, glassy, very hard finish that resists wear and tear but still lets the beauty of the wood show through. Is there anything that you stock that resembles this description?
thanks!
Matt S.Matt:
That's what I'm here for, to answer questions.
Yes, luthiers and owners are using 2 of our finishing products on fretless fingerboards.
Some use our Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer (CPES), applied by rubbing it on the wood, waiting about 15-20 minutes at room temperature and then wiping any excess off. They might do this several times, depending on the visual effect they want. The CPES penetrates the first several cellular layers of the wood and gives it some protection. This methods seems especially effective on exotic woods, such as ebony, rosewood, etc.
Others use our Layup & Laminating Resin to give the glassy, hard finish you suggest. Our resin is slower curing than most others (15-24 hours for full cure) which gives it better wood penetration, although I'm not sure that is an important issue for fingerboards. Does make it easier to work with, though. Others are concerned that a thick layer of epoxy will modify the tone of the instrument, so they use the CPES which has very little density.
Come back if my answers aren't clear, or if you want additional info.
Doc