Hell all, new person on the forums here. I've built a few electric guitars now and I post them on Instagram @culbinguitars, mostly just for my brother to see.
I'm hoping someone can help with a suggestion for filling fretboard markers. I've routed fretboard markers with a 6mm bit that are about 10mm long. I was planning to fill them with resin and gold mica powder. However, every test I've done has completely failed. I've tried warming the resin, stirring incredibly slowly, blow torching, heat gunning, sealing the wood first, more mica, less mica and even tried some 5 minute epoxy. Every test has turned out the same. It looks shiny and golden until I sand, chisel or scrape it off. What's left after levelling is a dull brown mess. The resin is curing with no bubbles but it's just dull brown inside. I've tested on a couple of types of wood and it's the same. I've now made 10 test pieces and they're all the same.
I've seen people on YouTube use resin and colours just fine. Including NSJ Guitars who I think is on this forum.
So I've got some irregular holes in my fretboard and can't fill them. Could someone recommend a resin and colour that's worked for them or an alternative material that I could fill the holes with please?
It is not a method I've used or recommend for inlaying guitars (in my experience you cannot get a crisp outline like a 'proper' inlay) but it should work... sounds like they need to be polished maybe?
Try sanding with finer paper? We sand Mother of Pearl to 240g or 320g - it can look dull until the finish is applied.
Have you tried applying fretboard oil (or whatever finish you have in mind?) that might do it...
Any one else got any suggestions?
Measure twice, cut once...
Thank you @markbailey. I've just done contrasting wooden dots before using a plug cutter but wanted to try something different this time. I've polished and polished the resin up to 800 grit and it's still a turgid brown - fairly smooth, but still dull brown. I'm suspecting the resin or mica, as coloured resin seems to work for other people.
Hence, I'd love to get a recommendation before trying another type of resin or another type of mica or dye.
Thank you again.
Hi again culbinguitars, it sounds a bit like the resin might not have cured right through. I've had it seem hard on the surface but turned into a mess as you describe after trying to sand. The epodex I mentioned on IG I leave for ages. It can take 48 to 72 hours but an exra day is no bad thing.
Also use decorators caulk to make a border around them and over fill. The resin shrinks as it cures.
Hey mate, welcome to the forum! Sounds like you’ve really been putting in the effort — mad respect for all those tests. That gold mica problem is super frustrating, and I’ve definitely seen similar issues before. One thing that might help is using a clearer casting resin instead of standard epoxy — some of the deeper-pour types stay crystal clear and hold the shimmer better. Also, try using less mica than you think you need — too much can actually kill the sparkle once it's sanded. Some folks also seal the routed area with thin CA glue before pouring to keep the wood from dulling the resin from underneath.