basic masking and prep

[mike-p]

Thanks tony, am in UK but we do have oak here. I suspect my floorboards may do the job...

[Bob Matthews]

Hi all,

more beginners Q's here, hopefully of use to other people.

What technique do you use to get accurate masking of the neck joint and FB extension. I'm worried that any lack of accuracy will either leave a visible strip of wood around these areas or the finish will intrude into the joint.

thanks.

Not sure if you're talking about finishing the neck or finishing the body where the neck attaches?

I don't mask the body accurately at these locations. Where the neck abuts the rims/sides, I finish right across the joint and where the fretboard extension sits on the top, I mask inside the outline of the fretboard, so the finish 'tucks' underneath. I only use the barest minimum of glue to attach the fretboard to the top and seeing as I use a bolt on butt joint for the neck, any finish under the joint plays no part.

If you're talking about finishing the neck, then just mask under the fretboard, press the edges of the tape to make a seal and trim off with a sharp knife.

Hope that helps,

Bob

[mike-p]

thanks everyone. Got some scrap walnut coming in the post from the supplier, very kind of them. Must be patient and methodical as Ken keeps reminding me.

I meant basically all the masking, is it best to try to mask everything perfectly including tuner holes etc or is some tidying up after spraying ok/inevitable?

Bob Matthews - sent you a PM

[ken cierp]

Its a good idea to mask as carefully as possible -- don't want to get masking on the "A" surfaces resulting in touch up. Plan to do clean up no matter what. As an example, its amazing how a tiny bit of finish can throw off the neck fit. Personally I just ream out the tuner holes, but masking sure would not hurt.

[mike-p]

thanks Ken, neck joint is my main worry, planning on masking the general area, bolting the neck on and then running a blade around the heel where it meets the rim and then peeling off the overhang, seems like the best way i can think of to get an accurate mask in this area.

I understand finish is usually applied to the outside edges of the fretboard but I don't want them black so I'll mask them. Would it be advisable to them remove the masking here and on the white binding before adding the clear top coat?

[ken cierp]

Yep -- that's how its done.

[TonyinNYC]

thanks Ken, neck joint is my main worry, planning on masking the general area, bolting the neck on and then running a blade around the heel where it meets the rim and then peeling off the overhang, seems like the best way i can think of to get an accurate mask in this area.

If I understand you correctly, you do not plan to get any finish where the neck heel meets the body? That's certainly one way to do it, but normally the whole body gets finish, including the area of the rim hidden by the neck heel. When you wet sand your finish, the water will cause more grief than sanding the finish smooth in that area. And you may very well end up with a visible transition line. Also, if you need to fine tune the neck fit, this may result in the unfinished portion of the wood showing. No bueno.
Put lacquer on the whole thing. Don't mask off the neck joint area of the rim. If I misinterpreted your post, then disregard this one!