Conversion varnish in the UK

[Bird5]

Can anyone help me out? I had a 325 brought in to me for a bit of work (fret dress / setup and general TLC). Everything is great but there's a lot of fingerboard wear between the nut and 4th fret. When I say wear I mean right through and the owner's worn away some of the fingerboard. At this stage a complete strip, level, refret and refinish is out of the question.

So here are my dilemas.

1. What is the best way to "patch" the fingerboard finish? Drop fill with conversion varnish, level and a light overall spray?
2.Does anyone know if we use a different name for CV in the UK?
3. Who supplies in the UK?
4. Any names for someone who could spray successfully? (I have another customer who is very near to a full re-fret on his 350)
5. Is it banned in the UK and if so what else should I use?

Sorry to ask so much but I'm hitting a brick wall with this one.

[grazioso]

Can anyone help me out? I had a 325 brought in to me for a bit of work (fret dress / setup and general TLC). Everything is great but there's a lot of fingerboard wear between the nut and 4th fret. When I say wear I mean right through and the owner's worn away some of the fingerboard. At this stage a complete strip, level, refret and refinish is out of the question.

So here are my dilemas.

1. What is the best way to "patch" the fingerboard finish? Drop fill with conversion varnish, level and a light overall spray?
2.Does anyone know if we use a different name for CV in the UK?
3. Who supplies in the UK?
4. Any names for someone who could spray successfully? (I have another customer who is very near to a full re-fret on his 350)
5. Is it banned in the UK and if so what else should I use?

Sorry to ask so much but I'm hitting a brick wall with this one.

i'd try : http://www.sherwineu.com/ or some other big supplier. same thing sold under many brand names - e.g. lesonal is one sold (and perhaps made too) localy here in czech republic.

[David Watts]

I've got the same question.
I can't find how conversion varnish is called in Europe.
Do you think it's a polyurethane based varnish ? Something else ?
I've got some work on my 330 and i'd like to give this info to my luthier.

[kiramdear]

Use epoxy to fill the divots in the fret board. It's thick and can be built up with one or two applications. Then level it, re-fret, and finish over top of it with varnish.

[David Watts]

Well, thanks Kiramdear.
But, in my case, i'm gonna send my 1990 330 to the luthier because of some fret wear in the 4-5 frets near the nut, making some intonation problems, mostly on the G string.
So he told me he's gonna make a leveling of the fretboard.
But, if he can't achieve good results, i'll need to have it refretted.
In this case he will have to refinish the fretboard.
The problem is that i can't find a translation for "Conversion varnish".
Polyurethane ?
Polyester ?
I'd like to tell him what to use.

[teb]

Your key search phrase for the hunt is "acid catalyzed" (varnish or lacquer - the distinction between the two seems to be getting rather blurry) which is what conversion varnish is.

Here are some links to get you started:

http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/j/JUN625/

http://www.beckeracroma.com/en/UK/Start ... Catalysed/
http://www.beckeracroma.com/en/UK/Start ... e-to-buy1/

On a less toxic note, there is also this one, which is a water-based product.
http://www.generalfinishes.co.uk/index. ... ore&CID=52

After trying three or four of these water based finishes, including one that was sold and highly-rated from Luthiers Mercantile International (KTM-9) the Enduro Pre-Cat is the one I'm currently using and it is really excellent stuff. I haven't used it on fingerboards though, so can't say how it would hold up in comparison to the acid-catalyzed finishes. Whether or not you can layer any of these products with good results for touch-ups/partial restorations, acid or not, is another question altogether and I can't help you there.

Paul will probablyy have a better source and answer when he eventually drops in.

[David Watts]

Thank you very much Todd.
Very useful information.

[jingle_jangle]

There are a number of automotive clearcoat urethanes which are avalilable which are not acid-catalyzed, are non-yellowing, more durable than furniture varnish, easier to mix and spray, and commonly available worldwide from vendors such as PPG.

I'd recommend PPG 2042 or EC-700 and their appropriate catalysts. I'd avoid water-based or water-borne CVs, which haven't demonstrated the longevity I would feel comfortable with, despite all of the "green" hype.

[David Watts]

Thanks a lot, Paul.
Now i know what to tell the luthier if my 330 needs a refret.
And if i understand well your post on the refret topic, you apply 3 or 4 layers of varnish on the fretboard when you do this?
Hopefully a fret leveling will be ok before i have to go this route.

[jingle_jangle]

Didier, when I do a refret, I apply three double coats of varnish following sealing the fretboard, and then I sand to flatten the board. I have several special small sanding blocks that I use for this. Then ,three more double coats of varnish, wet sand and buff with two different abrasives on a wheel.