Masking / demasking...
 
Share:
Notifications
Clear all

Masking / demasking a fretboard for a painted neck

9 Posts
3 Users
26 Likes
2,228 Views
Carnivorous HERBivore
(@herb)
Reputable Member
Semi Professional
Rep Points: 395
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 95
Topic starter  

May I pick the brains of you experienced finishers please...

My current not-a-Strat build is coming along nicely. I'm currently sanding and final shaping and thinking ahead. (Pictures to follow later.)

I intend to finish it (body, neck and headstock) with a solid colour (Sonic Blue nitro) using rattle cans.

How should I mask the rosewood fingerboard AND de-mask it whilst maintaining a perfect paint line running up to the fretboard edge.

Is it a case of using a new scalpel blade and a straight edge along the edge of the tape before peeling it off?

I'm guessing there will be a little ledge at the edge of the finish after the tape is removed... how should I deal with that?

Hints and tips gratefully received.

Thanks

Herb

 

 


   
Boo and Boo reacted
Quote
mark bailey
(@markbailey)
Admin
Guitar Making God
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 883
 

How should I mask the rosewood fingerboard AND de-mask it whilst maintaining a perfect paint line running up to the fretboard edge.

Very Carefully... ? 

Mask up the fretboard as normal then:

add another strip down the sides and across the ends to keep the color coat off the rosewood

Is it a case of using a new scalpel blade and a straight edge along the edge of the tape before peeling it off?

No scalpel blade...better to peel off the tape before the paint has gone hard

I'm guessing there will be a little ledge at the edge of the finish after the tape is removed... how should I deal with that?

Use a small brush to paint the edge of the fretboad with clear coat

Then continue to top coat as normal...

 

GOOD LUCK! PICS PLSSS!

Measure twice, cut once...


   
Boo, Carnivorous HERBivore, Boo and 1 people reacted
ReplyQuote
Carnivorous HERBivore
(@herb)
Reputable Member
Semi Professional
Rep Points: 395
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 95
Topic starter  

Further to this...

It occurs to me that the side of the fingerboard will be masked for the primer coats which will need to harden before several coats of colour.

Will I still be able to demask the sides before the colour has cured? Won't the primer have firmly captured it? Maybe the coats melt into each other and allow easy removal? 


   
Boo and Boo reacted
ReplyQuote
Carnivorous HERBivore
(@herb)
Reputable Member
Semi Professional
Rep Points: 395
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 95
Topic starter  

I would love your opinion on this Mark...

Maybe I'll mask the fingerboard a fraction of a mil short for the primer and peel off the tape before it sets then remask right up to the edge of the 'board for the colour peeling that off in turn before setting??

(Done the grain filler and sanding sealer...)


   
Boo and Boo reacted
ReplyQuote
Anonymous
(@Anonymous)
New Member Guest
Joined: 1 second ago
Posts: 0
 

I've got a kit on the way and am wondering exactly the same. How are you going on with yours?

Do you unmask after every coat? 


   
Boo and Boo reacted
ReplyQuote
mark bailey
(@markbailey)
Admin
Guitar Making God
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 883
 

@herb

Sorry for delay Herb - didn't receive notification and missed this...

Sounds like you would be better to de-mask after the primer and remask again for the colour...

You could leave it but there is a much greater risk of chipping when you peel it off...

Can't wait to see it!!

Measure twice, cut once...


   
Boo and Boo reacted
ReplyQuote
Carnivorous HERBivore
(@herb)
Reputable Member
Semi Professional
Rep Points: 395
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 95
Topic starter  

The story so far...

289200AB 8DD1 4DCE 98E8 5647C9B69E2B
696B1358 12FC 4A21 9843 77D4224626FB
DAD7B64D B00E 44F4 9B4E FDA50559DBDF

@markbailey

 


   
Boo, mark bailey, Boo and 1 people reacted
ReplyQuote
mark bailey
(@markbailey)
Admin
Guitar Making God
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 883
 

@herb

YEAH! Fingers crossed for ya Herb - Can't wait to see the colour!!

Measure twice, cut once...


   
Boo and Boo reacted
ReplyQuote
Carnivorous HERBivore
(@herb)
Reputable Member
Semi Professional
Rep Points: 395
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 95
Topic starter  

The continuing story...

HP 190907 IMG E7935
HP 190904 IMG E7933
HP 190904 IMG E7934

   
Boo, Russ, mark bailey and 3 people reacted
ReplyQuote
Share: