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Hey guys, Im back with another finishing question. Im building a guitar without binding and I was wondering exactly what parts of the fretboard you tape off, and when you install frets. What Im thinking is that Im going to tape off only the top of my fretboard, apply finish to the neck and sides of the fretboard but NOT the top, and then install frets. How correct does this sound? -Alex

The taping proceedure is the one I use, but I'd install the frets before finish. Less chance you'd damage the finish installing them. My .02.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Thanks Mike, do you apply finish to the sides of the fretboard, or only the top?

If we're talking clear coat, yes, I do. If i'm building and using a solid color, the solid color stops at the edge of the side of the fretboard. Then I use a clear coat on top of that, which goes all the way up the sides of the fretboard, leaving only the face of the fretboard with no finish( assuming a dark, hard wood such as rosewood or ebony. Of course, maple fretboards are finished completely.).

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I do what Mike does.

I understand that. But someone asking this question probably doesn't have the experience you and I have. Plus, a lot of finishes(especially nitro) can cure for a very long time. They can be soft and easy to scratch. And there are the inevitable bumps and moments of carelessness.
Also, he may not have a fret tang nipping tool, and/or may not be planning to do it that way.
I just gave him the best answer I could, considering the possiblilty of lesser experience.
Plus, I've refretted a lot of guitars. But when I build, I fret before I finish. It's just one more thing I don't have to worry about.
There are really no hard and fast rules here. Everyone has their own way of doing things, which may be right for them, and not for someone else. I just gave him my .02.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.