How to darken a guitar fretboard with Nitorlack stains:
In today’s article, we show you how to darken a fretboard using our stains.
Before starting this step-by-step guide, it is important to mention that a guitar’s fretboard influences not only the playing feel but also the instrument’s aesthetics. Over time, some light-coloured fingerboards (especially rosewood, pau ferro, or treated maple) can lose colour depth, or you may simply find they no longer appeal to you visually. Fortunately, it is possible to darken them easily and safely using stains if done correctly.
In this article, we explain which products to use, how to apply them, and which errors to avoid.
Before starting, it is important to know that this should never be done on a varnished or lacquered fretboard (like many maple ones), only on unsealed porous woods.
Suitable woods:
- Rosewood
- Pau ferro
- Ebony (only to even out lighter areas)
Not recommended for:
- Lacquered maple
- Fretboards with a gloss finish
Required materials:
- NitorTint Walnut
- Nitorlack Solvent
- Lemon oil or specific fretboard oil.
- Masking tape.
- Cotton wool, swabs, or a lint-free cloth.
- Nitrile gloves.
- Absorbent paper.
Step-by-step guide:
1- Clean the fretboard:
Remove the strings. Thoroughly clean the fretboard with NitorTint Solvent to open the wood pores and remove dirt.
2- Protect the guitar:
Use masking tape to cover:
- Binding (if present)
- The guitar top around the neck
This prevents permanent staining.
3- Prepare the stain:
For an intense result, it is recommended to use it undiluted; however, if it seems too dark, dilute it slightly to better control the result. It is better to apply several light coats than one that is too intense.
4- Apply the stain:
Using a swab or cloth:
- Apply the stain following the grain of the wood.
- Do not soak the wood: thin coats are better.
- Allow to dry between coats (normally 5–10 minutes).
- Repeat the process until the desired colour intensity is achieved.
5- Remove excess, clean the frets, and hydrate the fretboard:
Using absorbent paper, remove any excess to achieve a homogenous result.
You can easily clean the frets using steel wool.
Once dry (wait at least 2 hours), apply lemon oil or fretboard oil. This sets the colour and restores hydration to the wood.
Final result and conclusion:
Once all these steps have been followed, your fretboard will have a completely different appearance, which will change the overall look of the guitar, as the fingerboard is such a visible area. This process is especially important for guitars with light fretboards or those with stains or irregularities in the wood.
The difficulty of this process is very low, and the improvement to your guitar is substantial; therefore, we believe it is a task worth doing every so often if you notice the wood has lost colour, deteriorated, or become stained.
Below, we provide a video of this same process performed with our stain and explained by our client, collaborator, and industry expert, 8BOMBCUSTOM.
