Advice On Ebony Finishing Sought!

[Chris_P]

Hi all, this is my first post on these forums, despite visiting the main site many times over the last few years! So, hello.. my name is chris from the UK

I'll get right to it.. I have recently started to scallop an ebony fretboard (11-22nd fret), its not the first time ive scalloped a neck but it is the first ebony one done. I have noticed that where I have sanded the ebony its gone an off colour (very light) am I right in thinking that if I keep go through finer grits, 1000-2000 it will bring that nice dark ebony look back out? I also plan to polish the neck with lemon oil when done. Or is there something more involved.

Thanks for any help, just want to make sure I have the supplies to do the job right!

[Ken Bennett]

Hi Chris,

Sounds like you have cut into an ebony board that has been dyed. Some builders do that for a consistent color. You can leave it natural. Lemon oil will darken it a little, and fine sandpaper will burnish it smooth and shiny. Or dye it to restore the black finish. Stew-Mac has the stuff. I've never used it, but they say it works.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supp...oard_Stain.html

[Chris_P]

Hi Chris,

Sounds like you have cut into an ebony board that has been dyed. Some builders do that for a consistent color. You can leave it natural. Lemon oil will darken it a little, and fine sandpaper will burnish it smooth and shiny. Or dye it to restore the black finish. Stew-Mac has the stuff. I've never used it, but they say it works.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supp...oard_Stain.html

Ah thats a bit of a drag but seems pretty strait forward to sort out, guess id just sand to finish then apply the stain and polish up?

Cheers, Chris.

[WezV]

have you got a pic? We will be able to tell you if its dyed or not

its hard to know without a pic as rougher ebony will look greyer than totally smooth ebony - it may well be that sanding really smooth and re-oiling will be enough to get it back - but we cant say for sure without a picture

also, if it is stained , the stuff from stew-mac can be found easily in the UK for a few quid so its not a major problem

http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=black+f...;hl=en&aq=f

[Chris_P]

have you got a pic? We will be able to tell you if its dyed or not

its hard to know without a pic as rougher ebony will look greyer than totally smooth ebony - it may well be that sanding really smooth and re-oiling will be enough to get it back - but we cant say for sure without a picture

also, if it is stained , the stuff from stew-mac can be found easily in the UK for a few quid so its not a major problem

http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=black+f...;hl=en&aq=f

Hey man, here's a pic on the neck.. havnt finished the job yet, doing it by hand! So just one fret a day while im refinishing my body with tru-oil, only sanded up to 320 grit atm.

Had a quick look on google myself, nice to know it wont be a problem getting the stain if I need it.. tbh Im used to having higher frets scalloped so im not too bothered about having to re-stain if thats the case, needs a must!

Thanks for the advice man! Chris.

[Woodenspoke]

make sure you use the correct DYE, made for dying leather, not a stain. Check on Sm for the name of the correct product.

[westhemann]

That is definitely a dyed board.