finishing inside the fretwork???

[Old Forester]

I completed my first attempt at a fretwork project. It is the howling wolf pattern that was in the "other" magazine. I did it on a piece of w. red cedar because I didn't want to waste a good oak board on my first try. My question is: Do any of you finish the inside of the fretwork cuts with a darker stain to make them show up better? I don't know what the norm is here. I've read several posts on finishing but I don't recall seeing anything about a different "inside" finish. With my limited experience, this is not a work of art, but I'm trying to go through the whole process as a learning experience. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[Jediscroller]

I've never done this Bob. It would be a nightmare to do IMO.

[BobD]

The only feasible way I could think to do it, aside from painting the inside of each and every cut, is to apply some sort of sealer to the top and bottom, but not inside the cuts. Then you could dip it in the stain, allow the stain to dry, and sand the stain off the top.

I agree with Kevin, though...It would be difficult!

Bob

[Steviegwood]

I would have to agree on the difficulty of doing that. But as quick thought other than what BobD suggests. If you were to mask off the entire front with masking tape of some sort and then spray a dark paint from the back side in every direction to color the inside frets. Most of us will use a dark backer and get the effect that you see on most of our works. Hope this helps. Steve

[Old Forester]

Well, this was an easier question than I thought. You guys have convinced me that I would be making a difficult and unnecessary job for myself. Thanks for your quick input.

I have to say.....This forum is great. Having you experts available to answer what must seem like a silly question is really terrific. Thanks again.

[Steviegwood]

Originally Posted by Old Forester

Well, this was an easier question than I thought. You guys have convinced me that I would be making a difficult and unnecessary job for myself. Thanks for your quick input.

I have to say.....This forum is great. Having you experts available to answer what must seem like a silly question is really terrific. Thanks again.

Hi Bob, I am not sure that there is such a thing as a silly question. You keep asking and I am sure we have some silly answers. hehe I for one am a long way from an expert though. Hey Kevin and BobD Leave that one alone. Steve

[MacS]

Wait, I have another suggestion.

Dip the piece in the dark stain, blow out the excess. allow to dry.

Then, sand off the stain down to the raw wood on the "face" of the piece.

You will then have the dark stain inside the cuts and the natural wood on the top if you wanted to "clear coat the raw wood," you could dip the piece in an "oil finish" this will seal in the stain and the raw wood, instead of dipping into the oil, you could also wipe or brush the "facing" with the drying oil if your careful.

www.macsimmons.com

[BobD]

That's what I was getting at in my post, Mac. I thought if you sealed the surfaces first, you wouldn't need to sand as much (if you seal it, the stain won't penetrate as much.

Would you need to worry about all of the end grain in the frets absorbing stain deeply (essentially giving you a dark halo around each of the frets?)? I'm just brainstorming here...trying to troubleshoot because I'm intrigued by the idea.

I know end grain will absorb stain faster if it isn't sealed in some way (sized)...And I imagine that stain has to go somewhere, so I assume it travels up the "straws" that make up a piece of wood and may show up on the surface...

I guess this is why Mac ALWAYS says to make a sample. These worst-case scenerios could happen, or I could be totally wrong!

Bob

[MacS]

Yep, Samples always start the jobs.

I would also use a "pigmented stain" rather then a dye. It would be easier to sand off....

www.macsimmons.com

[Jediscroller]

Some other thoughts. I don't think this would be all that noticeable on 1/8" thick pieces. If it was a piece without too many holes, I suppose you could use a sharpie to go around the insides of the frets (I would do it from the backside). Might make for a neat affect on the right piece. I would spray a coat of clear finish first otherwise you would run the risk of the sharpie bleeding into the face of the piece.