Bringing out the red in Pau Ferro fretboard

[mattpnolan]

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to really bring out the red tint in a Pau Ferro fretboard without a "hard" finish?

In other words, I still want to feel the wood (that's why I won't play Maple fingerboards or Rics, because I don't like the feel).

Any wood polish or conditioner or dye that would stick and really bring out the red?

Thank you!!

 

[JAKeverline]

I would say your best bet is a couple thin coats of an oil type finish. Though oil finishes harden, they soak into the wood, leaving you that wood feel you are looking for.

 

[GMC]

Oil finish does open up oil wood dye options too.

 

[mattpnolan]

I would say your best bet is a couple thin coats of an oil type finish. Though oil finishes harden, they soak into the wood, leaving you that wood feel you are looking for.

Something like Colortone Fretboard oil?

Oil finish does open up oil wood dye options too.

And mix in a little Colortone Liquid Stain to that oil? Or a different kind of dye/stain? I saw somewhere else that someone recommended a leather dye.

 

[JAKeverline]

Something like Colortone Fretboard oil?

Yes. That would work perfectly.

And mix in a little Colortone Liquid Stain to that oil? Or a different kind of dye/stain? I saw somewhere else that someone recommended a leather dye.

I don't know about mixing it in with the oil, but maybe apply and let dry before applying the oil.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I've never tried dye mixed in truoil but, on a body at least, dying the wood then wiping truoil over the top works very well. I've never tried it on a fretboard but, I imagine, it would wear about as well as lacquer and it would be pretty easy to add a touch up down the road.