Masina Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I was thinking of applying a thin layer of fibre glass on to the back of my bass guitar neck, with an undercoat on the wood, so the colour would be seen through the fibre glass. My question is will fibre glass stick properly to a painted surface? I've glassed a neck before, but previously onto bare wood. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 OK, I'll bite: why would you want to do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masina Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 OK, I'll bite: why would you want to do this? just as a way of finishing the neck, which would add a bit of stiffness to it too. the fibreglass'll be pretty transparent, to the colour of the paint will show up. You think it is a bad idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 If it's got a finish, why go through all the trouble? Remember, even 1/32" all the way around will make that neck feel chunkier. As for stiffness, no clue whether it would be much of a huge improvement... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masina Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 (edited) it's an neck I've made myself, so added thickness would be taken into acount, plus I'd only give it an undercoat of colour, then apply the fibreglass on top in place of lacquer. another reason for this is it would make the neck virtually impervious to dents and scratches, however if you think it isn't worth it, maybe I'll go with a normal finish... Edited February 12, 2008 by Masina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Thing is this: fibreglass is heavier than wood, and I'm not even sure it's stronger/stiffer than wood for it's weight; Carbon Fibre has a good weight/strength ratio, and putting it on the back of a neck is a good place (lots of CF bass necks out there with hollow cores). I doubt, however, anyone can give you a firm answer on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 It's common for guitar companies to use polyester. I do too. (sprayed on though) It's basically fiberglass resin without the matting. If you insist on adding the matting too, get the thin stuff. As for potential added stiffness, it's possible (but I'm no engineer). It's all a bit messy though... sorta like coating a wooden canoe. -Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyonsdream Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Also keep in mind that a lot of people will get a rash from fiberglass, even if it's polished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 People are allergic to just about everything from kleenex to dinner plates.... Has anyone ever heard of a person being allergic to their PRS or Les Paul? I imagine it's possible. However, polyester resins in general are inert once cured. That's why paint stripper, acetone, dye, alcohol, lacquer thinner, ketone etc. has no effect at all on the surface after a few days. If you sand it though... the dust is not good for you. -Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidlook Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Doug, it's not the resin but the fibreglass we're talking about here. The increased stiffness of thin fibreglass would be marginal, but more importantly unneccesary. I can't really see any gain from using the fibreglass on an already finished neck, unless you want to add texture to it or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dry pond wood works Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 I was thinking of applying a thin layer of fibre glass on to the back of my bass guitar neck, with an undercoat on the wood, so the colour would be seen through the fibre glass. My question is will fibre glass stick properly to a painted surface? I've glassed a neck before, but previously onto bare wood. thanks. If you were to do this at all, you should do it under the paint. You are right that light fiberglass (4 oz or 6 oz) is transparent once wet out with epoxy, but I agree that it wound't add much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Doug, it's not the resin but the fibreglass we're talking about here. Well I did assume the tyvek suit, nitrile gloves, respirator, goggles, ventilation, etc. would be employed.... so my mind just drifted to the end of the chapter where it's all cured. I'd say keep the neck you have and make another some time with carbon fiber stiffeners in it. -Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masina Posted February 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 fair enough, looks like I'll forego the fibreglass then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-Man43 Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 Well I'm going to have to put my two cents in here, when my dad painted my 6-string bass we fiber glass resined the back of the neck then We masked off some flames, sprayed silver, then unmasked it and sprayed candy read over it...Looks amazing, the resin added alot for strength, the neck hasnt budged at all, i need to adjust the rod in it now cause of new string but before it was dead straight. But i would STRONGLY recommend against doing that over paint. Because the fiberglass would leave a rough texture on the neck and you would HAVE to clear coat it, thus building up more material. Bass-man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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