Maple fretboard finish problem

SpiritOfTheAge

I have a chance to swap a guitar with a friend but I have spotted an issue with the finish maybe lifting from the fretboard, it is milky in quite big areas. My tele has this but to a much lesser extent and is only visible over the dots but here it is much more pronounced (is that the right word?). So should I be concerned or is this something that if I don't mind the looks is nothing to worry about?

GoldenEraGuitars

Looks like it’s delaminating.  

SteveRobinson

This is typical of 90s/early 2000s Fenders.  Eventually the finish will flake off in sharp shards.

It's sometimes possible to repair using super glue if you can wick it under the finish.

SpiritOfTheAge

Best avoided then?

Fez

The only maple board strat I have did that as Mr Robinson described. I scraped it of and sprayed it with satin lacquer, I was doing a refret as well. It has been okay since though in retrospect I should have taken the old lacquer off completely. You live and learn eh.

hassleham

I would avoid as it's only going to get worse! Also tell him to avoid cleaning the frets with brasso or polish as it'll go under the flakes and look awful!

guitars4you

SteveRobinson said:

This is typical of 90s/early 2000s Fenders.  Eventually the finish will flake off in sharp shards.

It's sometimes possible to repair using super glue if you can wick it under the finish.

I've either done similar - and/or cut back with wet n dry (various grades) until so smooth you can't feel the edges - It will probably 'delaminate' again, but you can repeat if required - Personally, if done well you can make it feel more 'played in' - But as part of  anew transaction the price needs to be in your favour - It is not detrimental to the guitar as such as it is only a 'top coat' lacquer and in all honesty it is better without any IMO - The guitar will still do the same job without it

Melvy_w

I had the same thing happen to a '04 Mexican Strat. Didn't really affect playability, but more would flake off during heavy playing and bends. 

I ended up taking the finish off and attempting a DIY re-fret (major regrets!). In hindsight I wish I'd kept the finish as in hindsight I think it was starting to look better the more worn in got. 

Pictures are pre-refret  




 

GoldenEraGuitars

Tbf, the delaminating top coat would make refinishing it easier 

TINMAN82

Another win for the nitro finish 

Funkfingers

“They all do that, sir.” Usually along one edge. I reckon it had something to do with how the necks were hung in the finish drying phase. Wherever the finish pools up to become fractionally thicker is where it eventually comes adrift.

WezV

It's gonna peel off at some point, and cut some fingers when it does

When it's on the edge it can just be softened off, but I would strip this one for sure

adam1990

Depends on how much you like the guitar, I have it on my 2004/2005 USA Standard Strat which I have had since new in 2006 and it did't get worse..... Until a guitar tech decided to scrape off the the lifting finish on the fret markers without asking...

I have played the crap of my Strat which saw me though 3 years of music collage playing it at least 8 hours a day, plus 2 - 3 gigs per week for countless years and it is still it good shape for the amount of action it's seen. If it was a nitro finish I could only imagine it how good it would look now!

I guess the main thing I would say if you're not planning to keep it for too long don't bother as It might be a pain to get shot of later on. If it's a keeper, worse case it might need a refin at some point. 

SpiritOfTheAge

Thanks all, I am going to steer clear. there are plenty more fish in the sea  

SteveRobinson

SpiritOfTheAge said:

Thanks all, I am going to steer clear. there are plenty more fish in the sea  

Maybe it's the saltwater that's doing the damage