cleaing fretboard w house hold products ?

[FLipsEng]

what would be the best house hold products to clean my fret board ?

[Preacher Will]

Lighter fluid. Yes, I'm dead serious. After cleaning, treat it with mineral oil.

[Guitar Taz]

NONE!

 

Using household products will severely damage your fretboard!

 

If your looking to clean a filthy fret board you can do this one of several ways. Commercially through traditionally marketed products for guitar or using either item listed next. With any product the cleaning method is the same!

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*A word about the woods :

 

Most fretboards are made from three types of materials: maple, rosewood or ebony. Maple fretboards are typically coated which protects the wood beneath. These can simply be polished with a standard guitar polish to remove film and restore shine.

 

Rosewood and ebony fretboards, however, are typically not coated. This means they are exposed to the elements which cause deterioration, drying and cracking.

 

To preserve the wood, you should frequently treat the fretboard with lemon oil. Take a soft cloth a put a generous amount of lemon oil on a spot about 2" to 3" in diameter. Gently rub the lemon oil into the wood in a circular motion between the frets, all the way up the fretboard. Depending on how "dry" the wood is, it may quickly soak up this first application. Ebony is more dense than rosewood and will not absorb as much lemon oil. As soon as the first application of lemon oil has dried, apply again in the same manner. This should be done at least four times per year. If you play a lot, you may want to do it monthly or even bi-weekly.

 

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You can purchase Linseed oil and/or lemon oil. You'll find either of these items in Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal Marts where wood finishing products are sold. A 4oz - 12 0z bottle or can will run $4.99 - $8.99 the linseed is the more expensive of the two. The linseed oil label will indicate it's "boiled" that's fine. Lemon oil must be that pure lemon oil without any synthetics or waxes.

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Here's a List Of Commercial Fretboard Cleaning Products that are also excellent to use :

 

1) Dean Markley Fretboard Saver

 

2) Lizard Spit Fretboard Cleaner

 

3) Kyser Dr. Stringfellow Lemon Oil

 

4) Dunlop Fretboard Cleaner & Prep

Dunlop Fretboard Deep Conditionioner

Dunlop 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil * These items are sold separately or as a kit.

 

5) Fender Fretboard Conditioner & Cleaner

 

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Use cleaning products that are specifically intended to clean your guitar. Taking a short cut using hosehold polishes etc., can ruin your guitar! Good Luck!

[wandoctor]

lighter fluid on a catalyzed finish body maybe, but not the fretboard.

 

Wipe it down with a chamois. Dampen it if you need to.

 

Lemon oil sparingly maybe twice a year.

[54merk]

Guitar Taz,

I don't know where you got these ideas.

 

My luthier keeps a bottle of lighter fluid on his inspection counter in the front of his shop. This guy specializes in archtop restorations and does a lot of pro work. His most famous customer is Paul Simon. I don't know where you heard that lighter fluid (Naptha) is harmful to a guitar's finish. And use lemon oil sparingly, don't pour it on four times a year!

 

Don't take my word for it, read what Frank Ford says about cleaning guitars.

 

 

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenMaint/Cleaning/cleaning01.html

[wandoctor]

lighter fluid on the body, great, go for it. I think a chamois will do the job 90% of the time without the lighter fluid.

 

If your guitar is french polished, the lighter fluid may eat the finish away as soon as you put it down. So check first.

 

I just don't recommend putting lighter fluid on unfinished surfaces.

 

Try some Scott's liquid gold for the fretboard.

 

Make sure that whatever you use for the body has no silicone in it.

[NYC Classic]

I personally would stick guitar fretboard cleaners you can buy and follow manufacturers or the luthiers recommendations.

 

I've bought several guitars from Abe Wechter he a superb luthier who has made guitars for John Denver, Earl Klugh, John McLaughlin, Jonas Hellborg to name a few.

 

 

Check out what he recommends :

 

http://www.wechterguitars.com/abe_column/na-03.htm

 

 

I've a hand made classical guitar that's French Polished it's extremely expensive. This is one of the most expensive guitars in my collection. I seriously doubt that I'd apply care other than what's recommended by the luthier. I personally contacted the luthier in Spain to insure the right method to follow.

 

Acoustic guitars differ from electric guitars in finish and construction.

 

Guitar Taz was not that far off the mark he did recommend commercial products and he didn't state to saturate the fingerboard. I think what he was getting at was smokey rooms and guitars that aren't well kept need more attention. He was right on the mark about the fingerboard woods though.

 

Using a micro fiber cloth lightly dampened to wipe down the guitar is an excellent way to maintain your guitar - except those that are French Polished. I've an acoustic satin finished Martin and this is exactly what Martin recommends.

[GSTECH]

Guitar and Bass fretboard cleaning.

 

Does your maple fretboard have dark smudges on it? Is there a funky buildup around your frets? Below are a few maintenance suggestions that you can use the next time you change strings.

 

Tools and supplies needed:

 

* Naphtha or Lighter Fluid

* Lemon Oil or 3 in Linseed Oil

* Toothbrush

* Paper towels

* Masking Tape

* 500 grit wet/dry sanding paper

* #0000 Steel Wool

 

 

After you remove your strings, use a paper towel or shop towel soaked with naphtha or lighter fluid to rub the fretboard to remove the build up around the frets. If necessary, use the toothbrush to get along the edge of the frets. Do not over saturate the fretboard with the cleaning fluid.

 

After the naphtha or lighter fluid has evaporated, cover the fretboard with masking tape. Make sure that the fret wire is still exposed. You may also want to tape the body around the neck and the neck pickup. (I will explain why later in this section.)

 

After the fretboard and surrounding areas has been taped, use the 500 grit sandpaper to clean the fret wire. Be careful not to rush during this process. If you loose control while sanding the fret wire, you could slip and hit the body of the guitar or damage the nut.

 

After you have touched each of the frets with the sandpaper, you can remove the tape from the fretboard. Do not remove the tape from the body around the neck or the pickup. Now you can use the steel wool to polish the frets and fretboard. The steel wool will leave small particles while in use. These small particle, being steel, will collect around the pickup. Now you understand why the pickup is taped. After you are satisfied with the polishing job. you can use a clean paper towel to remove the steel particles from the fretboard and surrounding areas. Now, you can remove the rest of the masking tape.

 

On Rosewood fretboards: complete the process, use a small amount of lemon oil or linseed oil to restore the moisture to the neck that evaporated with the cleaning fluids.

 

On maple fretboards, use guitar polish or wax to shine the fretboard. No oil or treaments are needed on lacquered fretboards.

 

Now you fretboard is clean and ready for a new set of strings.

 

Remember, if your instrument develops any serious problem or if you are not sure about certain repairs, it is always best to seek out a qualified repair person to maintain and repair your instrument.

 

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[bdegrande]

Naphtha (lighter fluid) is a GREAT cleaner for very dirty guitars, of course, it is VERY flammable, make sure to dispose of your rags properly.

 

For ordinary cleaning, what matters is not whether some product calls itself a guiar polish or mot, it's what's in it. I use Endust - no wax, no silicone, no buildup. Many guitar polishes contain one or the other.

[JasmineTea]

The Cabinet makers and luthiers I've talked to all curse stuff like Endust and Pledge. They say it ruins the finish.

• No doubt lighterfluid has it's place, but I'd be carefull with it...I've never tried it.

[54merk]

Originally posted by JasmineTea

The Cabinet makers and luthiers I've talked to all curse stuff like Endust and Pledge. They say it ruins the finish.

[JasmineTea]

54merc, thanks. I needed that.

• I'm more fanatical about playing/music than "guitar", but I always learn stuff from your posts. Hopefuly, you'll grace us with your posts more often. ..Welcome back.

[54merk]

Originally posted by JasmineTea

54merc, thanks. I needed that.

 

Jas,

Aw shucks, you give me way too much credit. I'm no expert, just a player like yourself. I just study Frets.com everynight before I fall asleep!

 

I hang out quite a bit on the APM forum and don't always make it back here. I also had computer problems last week and could not send any messages. Fortunately an IT friend fixed it over the weekend, so....I'm ba-ack.

 

[edman316]

Buy a bottle of lemon oil (any brand) and some super fine (#0000) steel wool from Home Depot, Target, WalMart, etc.

 

Rub your frets and fretboard lightly with the steel wool (with the grain). Finish by wiping down the frets and fret board with a couple drops of lemon oil on a cotton cloth.

 

Your frets and fretboard will look like new.

[bdegrande]

 

Originally posted by JasmineTea The Cabinet makers and luthiers I've talked to all curse stuff like Endust and Pledge. They say it ruins the finish.

 

 

The two products are very different. There is nothing in Endust (unlike many guitar polishes and household cleaners) that would ruin a finish, unlike many guitar polishes. In fact, Peavey recommends it for their oil-finished Wolfgang necks.

[Chucksoup]

So there is no real way to condition a maple fret board? I am buying a fender mim strat and it has a maple fret board. I want to clean it and condition it if possable. I red somewhere that you can not use lemon oil because of the laqer finish and it darkens the wood? I defintly don't want to use lighter fluid. I use GHS fast fret on my guitars right now. The stuff works great. I just want to know if there is something out there to make my maple fret board conditioned like my rosewood boards.

[Hudman]

Originally posted by edman316 Buy a bottle of lemon oil (any brand) and some super fine (#0000) steel wool from Home Depot, Target, WalMart, etc. Rub your frets and fretboard lightly with the steel wool (with the grain). Finish by wiping down the frets and fret board with a couple drops of lemon oil on a cotton cloth. Your frets and fretboard will look like new.

 

Holy old posts Batman! I was about to give this edman316 guy the thumbs up until I realized who it was.....it's my old handle.

 

 

Chucksoup,

You can use #0000 super fine steel wool to clean up your maple fret board and frets. Rub lightly. Use a couple drops of lighter fluid to remove any serious gunk. Lighter fluid will NOT hurt your finish if you use it in small amounts (a drop or two).

 

Finish it off with some guitar polish (same stuff you use on the body).

[AK47]

I've used lighter fluid on fret boards and it works fine. I also use alcohol. [do not use alcohol on shelac or french polish] It is important to use something that cuts grease, evaporates fast, and leaves no residue. I prefer alcohol and use with a blue scotch bright pad wiping with the grain. When finished I wipe down lightly with lemon oil as alcohol can dry the wood. Wipe of excess lemon oil quickly so as not to make the fretboard oily.

I've used this method for 30 yrs. without any negative effects. I don't get a really oily dirty fretboard so I wonder if this could come from over oiling the fretboard so as the oil attracts dirt?

When it comes to Maple fretboards on a Strat.

The fretboard is finished. Clean the same as the rest of the guitar. Dry cotton cloth maybe slightly dampened on the corner if needed. [water or lighter fluid] Works for me.

[Tony Burns]

Are you nuts ? lighter fluid , you dont want to take out the natural oils in the wood , it could dry and crack - NO NO NO , -- when you change the strings take either orange oil or lemon oil and rub it around, it will take off any residue and properly oil the fretboard ( for rosewood or ebony -) the steel wool idea is a good one for Maple - the lighter fluid may take off what ever finish is left, you might have to then touch it up with something like clear nail polish -

[theGOOCH]

A damp rag works fine on the whole guitar for me. follow up with dry rag

[Hudman]

 

Originally posted by Tony Burns Are you nuts ? lighter fluid , you dont want to take out the natural oils in the wood , it could dry and crack - NO NO NO , -- when you change the strings take either orange oil or lemon oil and rub it around, it will take off any residue and properly oil the fretboard ( for rosewood or ebony -) the steel wool idea is a good one for Maple - the lighter fluid may take off what ever finish is left, you might have to then touch it up with something like clear nail polish -

 

 

Trust me, lighter fluid is used by many of the world's best guitar techs. I learned about it from reading a book on guitar set up and repair by Dan Erlewine and in a guitar tech class I took back in 2004. The class was tought by a popular guitar tech out of Nashville, named Lauren Ellis.

 

Lighter fluid won't hurt your guitar. It is a trick of the trade.

 

Here's a link about lighter fluid (naphtha): http://www.musicianshotline.com/archive/monthly/guitar_er/01_03.htm

[Chucksoup]

Thanks for all the info fellas.

[Blackwatch]

 

quote:Originally posted by JasmineTea The Cabinet makers and luthiers I've talked to all curse stuff like Endust and Pledge. They say it ruins the finish. The two products are very different. There is nothing in Endust (unlike many guitar polishes and household cleaners) that would ruin a finish, unlike many guitar polishes. In fact, Peavey recommends it for their oil-finished Wolfgang necks.

 

 

Pledge will leave white "rings" on varnish surfaces, I don't know about endust.

I worked in the marine industry for a number of years and I did alot of varnishing. There was a story going around about a hired skipper of a yacht that "Pledged" the handrails instead of varnishing them and they ended up stripping off 12 coats of varnish at a cost of over $100,000. It was a big yacht.

I'd never use Pledge on a musical instrument. Going over oil may be different but never on laquer or varnish. IMO

[d28andm1911a1]

NEVER NEVER NEVER clean your guitar in any way you will strip off the MOJO

[Old_Joe_Clark]

no recommendations here. everyone seems to have their own opinion. I could be wrong, but here's what I believe...

 

- Some people call mineral oil with a bit of lemon scent "Lemon oil"

- It's mineral oil that you want to use. Who needs the scent. And you definitely don't want mineral oil mixed with other {censored}.

- I use pure scentless USP Mineral Oil...find it in the drug store. It's so pure, you can drink it.

- Real oil made from lemons is not for guitars

- Lighterfluid might be OK too. I've used it but always feel uneasy.

- Regular steel wool seems to make a mess with little particles

- 3M finest synthetic steel wool (sorta like a "scrubbie pad") works really well