Consider using marine vinyl tape, which is available in several widths and colores at any marine supply store. I used 1/4" black tape to hide the line between the varnished deck and painted hull on my Merganser. I applied it after all other finishes were done. At first I thought it wouldn't hold up because it didn't seem to stick too well. After two years of hard use it still looks good, though. -Wes

Many Pygmy boat builders in my area use black electrical tape on top after all finish work done, and report that it holds up for several years too (by then you need to re-varnish anyway).  Probably simpler than painting as Wes mentioned. 

I would expect that your local auto parts store has pin striping tape.  It will take an epoxy cover well though I have never affixed it to wood before.

For the compass that I made, I used thin veneer wood from a fine wood store.