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How to “Fix” Rosewood Bridge Dyed Black?
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How to “Fix” Rosewood Bridge Dyed Black?
I dyed an East Indian Rosewood bridge black to match the Blackwood fretboard before gluing it on*. The bridge is now glued to the top. What are some ways to “fix” that dye into the wood. I’m not crazy about TruOil – up to 40% mystery oil…..
*I did a sample on rosewood with 4 different “dyes” and they were all stable, would not rub off with paper towel, naptha or mineral spirt. I went with the TransTInt. I did not however test with water. When cleaning off the glue, I discovered the TransTint was water soluble. Went back to the rosewood test panel and they were ALL somewhat soluable with water. (Fiebing’s Pro Dye Leather Dye, Fiebing’s Brown Edge Dye, Mixol in alcohol, TransTint in Alcohol).
This question almost belongs in repair : (
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6 Replies
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I’m a fan of India ink – simple to use, apply, and after drying and a coat of fretboard finishing oil I’ve never experienced any issues.
stewmac.com
For ebony streaks, use black fingerboard stain - StewMac
Erick Coleman shows why black fingerboard stain is a standard item in any guitarmaker's shop, including the big name builders.
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Fiebings leather dye works great too.
Depending on the piece of rosewood and how dark you need to go sometimes potassium permangenate (sp?) will darken it enough to blend in and that works with oxidation. It can’t wash off because it literally changes the color of the wood.
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Thanks for the replies. Surprisingly, both of the Fiebling’s dyes I used, on a EI Rosewood bridge blank, were water soluble: the color wiped away from the surface with plain water- like a moistened Q-Tip or paper towel. I didn’t put it in the original post but I also tested Higgins Black India Ink
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@Chris Frederick Guitar Recovery LLC I tried some “Lemon Oil” over the already dyed bridge and it actually set the color, thanks for sharing that. I don’t know why that worked, but it did. I’ll finish it up with Howards Feed N Wax and steel wool.
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Great move !
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Awesome!
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