Official Luthiers Forum!

I've refretted my '57 Custom Shop soft V and before I attempt
my first time at spraying I'd appreciate any tips and advice offered.

As it is- It's a one piece maple and only the fretboard area has had
the finish removed as the rest is fine and wanted to avoid decals/markings.

The frets have been leveled/beveled/polished.

Based on my limited knowledge my plan is to spray the Reranch as per their
instructions hoping to match the tint.
What I'm really wondering about is exactly how to handle the frets that will
be sprayed too. I thought I could tape them off but that doesn't sound smart because
it seems like the finish would dry trapping some of the tape and even if it didn't it would
leave an ugly area along-side the frets...?..

I also thought I'd tape off the neck just below the fret tangs thinking that it would
"melt" into old finish and also fill-in the little areas that the finished chipped out when
removing the old frets.

Thoughts appreciated much.
Michael

You could finish the fretboard with a wipe-on poly rather than lacquer.
Polish the poly off of the frets then mask the board before spraying the lacquer.
I've have good results with 3-4 coats of wipe-on. It seems pretty durable so far.
Dan

_________________
wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I would have done my finish on the fretboard with CA before fretting. Most factory jobs are sprayed before the frets are leveled and dressed and that takes care of most of the lacquer. You could try a coat of wax carefully applied to each fret before spraying but I am afraid no matter what you may wind up with chips along the frets. I think I would spray over them and carefully scrape them clean with an exacto while the lacquer was soft.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks Dan and Brian.

I've read since posting that Fender at one time used a grooved nail to scrape the finish
off.

I know the custom shop sprayed the frets and later removed most of it. I cut along side each
one before removing them. There was a little finish on the sides of the frets.