Natural wood headstock binding and stained neck

[MKlee]

Can anybody give me some direction on how to stain a neck without the stain bleeding over onto the binding? I'm wanting to do a natural maple binding around an inlayed headstock but I'm not sure how to stain the neck without the stain bleeding over onto the binding. Obviously I could stain the neck first but that eliminates the ability to do much (any) sanding once the binding is applied.

Any advice?

A coat or 2 of blonde shellac on the binding should inhibit the stain.

-tommy

[Ken Hundley]

I used automototive pinstriping tape when I masked off a black OM I did. Flexible, sticks well, but comes up easily when it's time to remove, and available in many different widths.

[B. Howard]

I would seal the bindings worth shellac prior to staining.

[MKlee]

okay, so just to be clear on the process, it sounds like the consensus is to go ahead and build the headstock, install the binding, sand to a finish surface and then carefully seal the binding with Shellac. I guess applying it with a steady hand and paintbrush to be careful not to get any shellac on the neck. Once it's sealed well I can then stain the neck ... sound right?

It seems that taping the bare wood of the binding could possibly still allow stain to seep in from the sides, right?

Mark

[B. Howard]

Yes stain can creep under tape. You may want to tape off the neck when you seal the bindings with shellac to make it easier.