The Fretboard

Haych Frets: 6722

24 Dec, 2024

So I’m doing a fret level on a lacquered maple board.

Everything is going well but I’ve cocked up a little. The sharpie I used to mark the crown of the frets was a bit inky and the ink has bled under the lacquer at the base of the frets.

It hasn’t marked the board but it’s trapped under that bit of lacquer still on the bottom of the fret, so somehow I need to remove the overspray on the fret to tidy it up.

What’s the cleanest method of doing this? I’ve tried a scalpel but the lacquer is putting up a fight and I’m worried I’m going to make an even bigger pigs ear of things.

Really sharp chisel maybe?

Post your answers to:

Haych is a ham fisted fool courtesy of the Fretboard, on a comment below.

TIA

paulnb57 Frets: 3269

24 Dec, 2024

Keep going with your scalpel or a Stanley Knife.. slowly sneak up on it and you'll develop a technique that works.
When I did mine I scored along the fret edge with a Stanley then scraped gently along the fret with a small flat blade screwdriver to remove the lacquer

WezV Frets: 17758

24 Dec, 2024

Score the edge with a scalpel.

Find a nail with a nice flat head and grind the fret shape into it. Use this to scrape the lacquer off the frets.

Polish as normal

Haych Frets: 6722

24 Dec, 2024

Thanks both. Will persevere with that in the next couple of days and see how it goes.

Help! Fret level faux pas.

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