finishing a maple neck

[Trevor Davies]

I think the FW wipe on poly should be fine for a maple fretboard. Actually, I'm sure any hard-wearing finish is fine.

I have used Tru-oil on a number of maple fretboards, and have sprayed Cabot's water-based poly on a bass. BTW, the sprayed poly was actually quite difficult to get off the frets afterwards. Maybe thinly wipe on the poly and avoid the frets where possible!

[colin2121]

I have successfully used tru-oil and FW Scandinavian oil on maple necks and boards.
Four coats tends to give a nice satin finish.
Is your wipe on poly gloss or satin? The gloss can be a bit grippy on the back of the neck.

[fender3x]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I just wanted to clarify. I'm about to do my first maple fretboard, all my previous ones were rosewood or african blackwood. Will my trusty Feast Watson wipe on poly do the job on the fretboard? It may or may not have been mentioned, I don't know if its classed as water based or whatever, probably should learn, I just know I have some and would prefer to use it, as I don't have a place to spray things.

We don't have Feast Watson here in the US, but I looked at on the website. It's a gloss, which a lot of folks don't like on the back of the neck, because it tends to feel sticky, as Colin mentioned, so your thumb doesn't slide over it as nicely as with a satin finish. On the product data sheet it says that it's "not for high traffic areas"... that may mean that it is not terribly hard or resistant. Maybe not ideal for a fretboard that will have lots of contact with abrasive strings... It is definitely oil solvent based, rather than water based. Mostly Naphta-ish solvents. Also you know the product and how it goes on, so that's a plus. You could use it. But it's maybe not ideal.

[pr0jekt]

I have the satin version, and have been able to get it to a glossy finish on some strat bodies, so best of both world I suppose. It is very nice on the back of the necks I've made, I just do 3 to 5 thin coats, the first applied with 600 grit sandpaper for grain filling, thanks to Brad Angrove for that tip. It's good to hear I don't need to use nitro or lacquer Thanks guys