GDay

Hey Andy, welcome.

Looks like Gav and DB have covered off your Q's - as we'd expect, both a yoda level gurus.

I use the steel rule method for lots of little jobs, often using sticky-back sanding paper. The glue backed paper can be a bit pricey, however it allows you to make radius-matched sanding blocks and similarly funky doodads. Using it on a steel rule or aluminum block turns these devices into precision sanding machines.

Bluetape is great, however quality panel-beaters/spray painters masking tape (not $2 Shop stuff) should work too. The problems usually come when the tape lifts (which any tape can) and you don't replace it before applying the next coat.

"Wow! certainly a great community here! Thanks for all the input!" with you there - isn't it amazing! I'm fairly new to PB and the Forum, but it hooked me straight away.

Hi Andrew

Give the "scratched" section a gentle rub with '0000' steel wool. If it doesn't solve the scratches issue, then proceed as DB suggested.

You can get rid of those scratches by wrapping some sand paper around a six inch steel rule and carefully sand, following the radius.
Work your way up from 240 to 800grit then polish with fine steel wool.
You will end up with a super smooth fingerboard.

For the smaller frets attach or wrap the sandpaper around a Popsicle stick as opposed to the steel rule.

This should sort it out for you.

Greetings Andrew to the wonderful world of PBG