Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?

[jazzyvee]

Clarky, I put some of those paper dots on my guitar when i was on tour as many of our gigs the songs started in heavily subdued light and they were fine although the sticky backs are not very strong so you will probably need a lot. I got mine off ebay in a pack designed for putting on children’s bedroom ceilings as constellations.
Actually i just had a look at these which look neat.
https://www.glowtec.co.uk/fret-finders.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2OyI1PyH3wIVy7ftCh3zNQ5WEAQYBSABEgLxxvD_BwE

[Clarky]

 Thanks Delano. In fact those Glowtec stickers are exactly what I have on my Fender Mustang shorty (as that has small faded side dots). They work well but you can feel them as you slide around the neck.

[hieronymous]

I've thought about the Luminlays for my Guild fretless, but haven't taken the plunge yet. I spoke to Mica about it a while ago, and she suggested a dab of glow-in-the-dark nail polish, but I haven't tried that yet either.

[lbpesq]

Never thought of glow-in-the-dark nail polish.  Just ordered a bottle on amazon for $2.  It's worth a try.  You're welcome to come over and try some when it gets here, Harry.

Bill, tgo

[hieronymous]

Never thought of glow-in-the-dark nail polish.  Just ordered a bottle on amazon for $2.  It's worth a try.  You're welcome to come over and try some when it gets here, Harry.

That would be great!

[lbpesq]

Bringing this thread back to life, the glow-in-the-dark nail polish I ordered back on December 5, (when I made my last post, above), finally arrived yesterday (probably literally from the slow boat from China)!  Dabbed some on a spare neck to test it out.  Unfortunately, it doesn't glow nearly bright enough.  You can see it in total darkness, but add any amount or ambient light and it just isn't bright enough.  At least when I only painted the dots.  As I write this I'm thinking maybe if I paint 1/2" bars over the dots it might be more visible.  I'll try it tonight and report back.

Bill, tgo

[mario_farufyno]

I've read some complains about FretFX's battery clip system. It seems they changed from using those coin battery to a bulkier model... and they're not showing how the new one looks like in the site.

ps.: I clean my Rogue's side dot simply scratching oxidation with a needle. Sorry, I know it is a little crude...

[sonicus]

I installed the NEWER FretFX system on an Essence .It works well however I was at first a little disappointed with the new battery holder , It does work though !  I will post a photo later .

[allgood]

I have a 73.  The dots ar very, very dim.  I tried the Fitz polish with a q-tip, but it made no difference that I could tell.  I have small pieces of glow in the dark tape on the side of the fretboard of three of my basses, including my Essence, and it helps me a lot.  I sort of don’t want to chance messing up the finish on the 73, but I expect I will do the same for her.  I think it would be less harsh on the finish than if I messed up while trying to sand the little dots, and ate into the polyurethane finish.

[mica]

The instruments made before 1980 will have finish on the edge of the fingerboard - so metal polish will not reach the oxides on the silver or bronze dots, you'll just be polishing the finish.

If one carefully sanded down the edge of the fingerboard, you can reach the metal and polish it up or replace the inlays with any size or sort of material you desire. But this kind of operation should be done by a skilled repair person.

Instruments from the mid-eighties on tend to have no finish on the edge of the fingerboard, so you are free to Scotch-brite or sand those dots to brilliance!

[allgood]

Ahhh, that makes sense, thanks, Mica. 

[lbpesq]

Since we discussed this last year, I bought a roll of glow-in-the-dark tape and three different size hole punchers.  MUCH less expensive than buying the dots.  I also found a cool tiny flashlight that emits blue light, made especially for charging the tape/dots. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Luminlay-LL-1-LED-light-charger-for-glow-in-the-dark-side-dot-position-marker/193287183064?hash=item2d00d05ad8:g:LH0AAOxy2HFSY-88

This works fairly well except the dots tend to eventually move and I need to replace a dot or two every once in a while.  The little flashlight does a great job of charging and is small enough to keep in your pocket and use as necessary.  Only takes a few seconds over each dot.

I have just ordered a Luminlay rod to try out a more permanent solution.  Since I recently got a small table top drill press, I feel more competent to try the installation myself.  Of course I’ll try it in a cheapo scrap neck first!

Bill, tgo

[lbpesq]

Status Report:

I installed the Luminlay side markers on a neck.   It turned out to be easier than I expected.  Just drilled out the plastic side markers with a small hand drill (tiny turn it with your fingers - no power).  Put a little superglue on the end of the Luminlay rod (it comes in a rod about 3" long), push it in, snip it off and do the same for each hole.  Then file and sand, oil the edge of the board, and apply a little rub on poly to replace the finish.   These work quite well.   After charging with a blue or ultraviolet light for 10-15 seconds, they are still visible an hour later in a dark room.  After completing the Luminlay install, I did a little more research and decided to make my own glow in the dark side inserts instead of using the Luminlay rod.   I finished my first batch of 80 bright green side markers last night.  They came out quite well.  I hope to find the time to install them on another neck this weekend.  I'll also be whipping up a batch of bright white side dots.  I may just add sets of these to my reverb store.  Who knows, ten years from now I could be the famous glowing dot magnate!

Bill, tgo

[sonicus]

I saw the finished product and Bill's work . All excellent  !

[sonicus]

The ultra violet light units to charge the dots are also interesting !