Refinish a Mighty Mite strat neck?

[morecowbell]

Hey All,

Just bought a Mighty Mite strat neck (rosewood fingerboard). It came with a light, satin sheen, oil-based poly finish. (Very light actually. I had to check their website to find out that it is, indeed, finished. That's where I got the "oil-based poly" info.)

Anyway, the non-rosewood parts of the neck are a very light blonde color and I'd like to darken them up. Any suggestions as to what I can apply on top of the oil-based poly? (Am hoping there's something that can go over the finish, as I've heard stripping poly is NOT a fun job.)

I know Guitar Re-Ranch has a tinted clear coat, but I'm not sure if that would work over the oil-based poly. Thanks in advance for any help.

[flateric]

I'd finish with a few wipes of danish oil. This will darken the wood a little, not much. Wipe on with a rag, allow to dry a day then add another coat or two. Buff up with a scotchbrite pad or fine wire wool when totally dry. You get a really nice smooth satin feel to the neck and the wood will be well protected.
Tru-oil will do the same thing but give slightly less darkening.

[morecowbell]

Excellent. Thanks, flateric. Sounds like that will do the trick and help me avoid any problems.
Thanks again.

[anthembassman]

-You can also use bore oil. It's made for all wooden instruments like older clarinets, flutes, fifes, etc... I've used it on all of my rosewood 'board guitars and it's great. It slightly darkens the fretboard, but it also "feeds" the rosewood. But you only need to use it once or twice a year at most. I just wish I would have taken some before and after pics. And the 'boards are slick to the touch while playing. They haven't gotten sticky yet and I oiled my Les Paul about 6 months ago.

-Just put a drop on your fingertip or on a small piece of flannel and apply to the fretboard. Leave it sit for an hour or so to let the oil absorb into the wood, then buff the rest off with a clean flannel cloth. The difference is quite amazing. I used to use Milsek lemon oil and it seemed to work decent. But after using the bore oil I won't go back. I have Roche Thomas bore oil, and I think it cost me about $2.75 for a small 2 oz bottle at my local guitar shop. But I've been reading about a brand called Bore Doctor and Fret Doctor. They're the same thing, just packaged differently to appeal to the proper buyer. Here are before and after pics from the Bore and Fret Doctor site. The results I got with the brand I purchased are basically identical.



www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm

L8R,
Matt D.

[morecowbell]

Thanks Matt, I'll give it a try.
So far I've only used Dr. Ducks on my fingerboard, and very sparingly. Only when it seems dry. The bore oil sounds better, though. I think Dr. Ducks is a petroleum product and according to the Fret doctor site, that's not good.

Ever use bore oil on the back of the neck? I really wanna darken up the whole neck a bit. Just so it's not so pale blonde.

[anthembassman]

-Sorry, never used it on the back. My necks are finished on the back so the bore oil won't do anything to it. You might just need to strip the neck and refinish it a darker color. That's one thing I hate about the MIM Fenders. Those necks are almost blinding white compared to other Fender necks.

L8R,
Matt D.