Masking fretboard

[Steven Williams]

Aloha all. I build ukuleles here in Hawaii and I have a question about dealing with the raised lacquer line when masking tape is removed from the fretboard after the final coats have been sprayed.
I tape off the fretboard in preparation for spraying, including the edges of the fretboard and the extension over the body. When the spraying is done, there is the usual hard, raised line when the tape is removed. I've found that it chips very easily when I scrape it and I'm not really comfortable with sanding it. I usually spend WAY too much time with the edges of the fretboard extension...can't seem to easily and quickly take care of this area where the fretboard sits on the top.

Any tips on how to streamline and speed up this process?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[Darrel Friesen]

I tape the fretboard to within 1/32" or so of the edge. The sides of the fretboard are finished. A razor blade is then carefully used to scrape the 1/32" of finish on the top of the fretboard.

[David King]

I tape off 1/2 way up the FB for the same reason. A fine cut fingernail sanding board works well to feather and blend the edge.

[Brad Heinzen]

I don't know if it's any help, but I like to sand mine before I remove the tape. It seems to work out ok for me. I wrap the sandpaper around a little stick so that it gets right up to the frets. That lacquer really does want to chip off the fingerboard, doesn't it!

[Dave Anderson]

I like to finish the sides of the fingerboard along with the neck. I mask only the top of the fingerboard before fretting so it's easy
to mask.

[Steven Williams]

Thanks for all the replies. Never thought of finishing the sides of the fretboard. I'll give it a try. Strange how the best answer is usually the easiest and most obvious one. Don't know why I didn't think of it!!
Steve