Violin Forum/Message Board

SooT · Member Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Devon, UK

Had to replane the fingerboard, which is not ebony, don't think it is rosewood either. What, if anything, would one put on the fingerboard to finish it?

Mat Roop · Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 11:36 pm Post subject:

If it were me and the existing fingerboard is important to keep, burnish the finished surface with a good 1" or 3/4" hardwood dowel.... and then a coat of Tung oil.
Cheers, Mat

SooT · Member Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Devon, UK

We don't have any Tung Oil, would linseed oil suffice?

Mat Roop · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:47 am Post subject:

sooT ... Never used linseed on instruments, but I guess it would work. Boiled linseed oil is thicker but dries quicker (a few days) Raw linseed oil is thinner, but takes longer to dry ...maybe a week or more.

test it first on a sample of something to be sure you get the feel you like... the boiled linseed seems to have a heavy greasy feel, raw less so.

Key is to apply it and wipe it off completely... you don't want a layer of it on the wood like a paint.

You might even try rubbing in a coat of oil based violin varnish, immediately wiping it off completely and letting it dry overnight.

Note that my experience is with tung oil only on fingerboards... so the rest of my comments are based on speculation!
\Good luck!

SooT · Member Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Devon, UK

I think you can use Linseed oil on instruments. Boyd Poulsen taught the use of linseed oil on the back of the neck that isn't varnished.

Just contacted a fellow So Cal workshop participant and found out that we can use 600 grit sandpaper with linseed oil on the redressed fingerboard, then immediately wipe off the oil. Might help someone else.

If there are any other suggestions we'd love to learn them.

whatwasithinking · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 5:50 pm Post subject:

Umm, did you not care whether it was black? I've seen many fingerboards on old, student-grade instruments that were dyed black. If you want a black finish (I'm guessing it had a black finish when new), you could use this: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Colors,_tints,_and_stains/Black_Fingerboard_Stain.html

Bob

L P Reedy · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:41 pm Post subject:

I never put finish on fingerboards, but if I did it would be Minwax Wood Hardener. If you must, the linseed oil should be pretty harmless.

Mat Roop · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:42 am Post subject:

I've used dye before, and it was black leather dye... from a shoe repair shop. The bottle looks suspiciously the same as the one in the stew mac link.
Cheers, Mat

whatwasithinking · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 1:01 am Post subject:

I think it is. Have also seen powder you mix with alcohol and shellac, IIRC.

SooT · Member Joined: 18 May 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Devon, UK

whatwasithinking · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 5:26 pm Post subject: