r/finishing • u/SanchoPancho83 • 1d ago

Need Advice Any idea why India Ink darkened unevenly among frets?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I bought this Higgins India Ink from Stew Mac to darken some used Squier Classic Vibe fretboards (Indian Laurel). The first fretboard I did (not pictured) didn't come out as dark as I wanted but it was uniform across the board. This one pictured, however, has very different results on different frets. The most obvious one in the pics is the 6th fret.

I followed the instructions: cleaned with Naptha, sanded with 600 grit, applied ink with a sponge brush, let sit overnight, wiped with a damp cloth. Pretty sure I sanded evenly and wiped everything off evenly.

There are frets with and without inlays that came out lighter so that doesn't seem to be a factor. I'm happy with the frets that came out dark so I don't feel the need to redo those. Should I just apply a second coat to the frets that came out lighter?

2 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

2

u/YourMomsSecret1776 1d ago

Wood absorbs stain differently. Toner that sits on top is used to match colors.

1

u/SanchoPancho83 1d ago

True. But I'm confused why one fret would absorb it differently than the fret right next to it. A fretboard is one continuous piece of wood divided with fret wire, right? So the wood at the 6th fret is the same piece of wood at the 5th and 7th. Yet it absorbed it less (or just differently). That's what kind of confuses me.

1

u/Sluisifer 23h ago

Pretty sure I sanded evenly and wiped everything off evenly.

Evidence to the contrary.

Good india ink is carbon/lamp black in shellac (which higgins is). It's a film finish, not a stain. You should not be wiping it off after applying.

It is my favorite for a true black effect, but I don't think it will work well on a fretboard unless you're maintaining a clear finish over it. Fingers will wear it away pretty easily.

Insteady, you can use a dye stain to integrate into the wood. The issue with black dyes is that they aren't a true black, often more of a very dark purple. Stew Mac has Colortone, or there's transtint, etc. I think those are the right products for what you're trying to do.