Seeing how places like Stewart MacDonald want to get rich on shipping charges to Canada Ihave a question. Knowing you should not really use lemon oil on fret boards what over the counter at my local music store is best to do a major fretboard cleaning after a fret re-crown where there may be a few tiny scatches involved? Is there any household product that will get the job done? Thanks -nanccinut
Best Fretboard - Over Counter Cleaner/Polish
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taabru45
Enlightened Member
Re: Best Fretboard - Over Counter Cleaner
I've read about some luthiers using deionized water, Canadian tire should have it. They use it to remove dirt from a crack cause it leaves no residue. I've used it on counters, glass etc. works great, don't drink...tastes terrible. :shock: Steffan
I've read about some luthiers using deionized water, Canadian tire should have it. They use it to remove dirt from a crack cause it leaves no residue. I've used it on counters, glass etc. works great, don't drink...tastes terrible. :shock: Steffan
dklsplace
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Re: Best Fretboard - Over Counter Cleaner
Naptha is the best "cleaner" hands down. I give a light wiping with naptha on a green scotch bright pad, then wipe excess off with a paper towel. After a minute or so it's dried up & ready for a good conditioning oil.
Naptha is the best "cleaner" hands down. I give a light wiping with naptha on a green scotch bright pad, then wipe excess off with a paper towel. After a minute or so it's dried up & ready for a good conditioning oil.
Re: Best Fretboard - Over Counter Cleaner
Thanks for both tips ! As far as Naptha I assume I can buy this at my largest music store in town can I ? Is it a yes or no for using on the laqure finish for the rest of my Guild. Can you buy it in a hardware store or cheap on-line? Sounds like the way to go if your favorite internet site doesn't try and recover the American finacial downslide with their shipping charges like Stewart MacDonald :!:
This sounds like a two step process so whats the best coditioning oil with thanks in advance?
nanccinut
Thanks for both tips ! As far as Naptha I assume I can buy this at my largest music store in town can I ? Is it a yes or no for using on the laqure finish for the rest of my Guild. Can you buy it in a hardware store or cheap on-line? Sounds like the way to go if your favorite internet site doesn't try and recover the American finacial downslide with their shipping charges like Stewart MacDonald :!:
This sounds like a two step process so whats the best coditioning oil with thanks in advance?
nanccinut
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Re: Best Fretboard - Over Counter Cleaner
Naptha is simply lighter fluid, as in a couple of bucks for a can of Ronsons lighter fluid...and it is safe to use on the Guild finish...How easy is that,,,? Someone else will tell you about the oil to use, on rosewood or ebony, probably a different oil for each. Sounds like you are teaching yourself a lot, by doing. good on you.
Steffan
Naptha is simply lighter fluid, as in a couple of bucks for a can of Ronsons lighter fluid...and it is safe to use on the Guild finish...How easy is that,,,? Someone else will tell you about the oil to use, on rosewood or ebony, probably a different oil for each. Sounds like you are teaching yourself a lot, by doing. good on you.
SteffanRe: Best Fretboard - Over Counter Cleaner
Yes trying to learn to doos and the don'ts before jumping in with both feet . Learned one thing today having bought Bull Dog super fine steel wool thinking I had the finest so e-mailed the company to verify. They sent me back info that the box marked superfine is only their 000 grade missing that last number so this means a trip to another store in search of 0000 to buff up my frets after the crowning file process. Something learned is just that. Best get the right materials for the right job done properly!
Also read that many luthiers like giving fret boards a little shine-up with (pure flaxseed) oil for both appearance and the pleasent smell it emitts. Don't really know my wood finish products real good but guess this is in the linseed oil family.Does anyone in fact use this product which I again think can be bought at a hardware store? -nanccinut :wink:
Yes trying to learn to doos and the don'ts before jumping in with both feet . Learned one thing today having bought Bull Dog super fine steel wool thinking I had the finest so e-mailed the company to verify. They sent me back info that the box marked superfine is only their 000 grade missing that last number so this means a trip to another store in search of 0000 to buff up my frets after the crowning file process. Something learned is just that. Best get the right materials for the right job done properly!
Also read that many luthiers like giving fret boards a little shine-up with (pure flaxseed) oil for both appearance and the pleasent smell it emitts. Don't really know my wood finish products real good but guess this is in the linseed oil family.Does anyone in fact use this product which I again think can be bought at a hardware store? -nanccinut :wink:
Re: Best Fretboard - Over Counter Cleaner
A lad over on Frets.net told me Martin at one time used good old lard which got a loud "wow" out of me. Guess it did the job though as there are lots of very old Martins which sound great kicking around so their fretboards must have remained pretty true over the years with that lard rubbed into the ebony:!:
On my old beater going to try a food grade lubricant oil containing anti dust propeties and emulsafiers called MYVACKET 9-45K .
We use this to lubricate in the food industry and it doesn't go solid like lard would have for the Martin people in cold tempature situations. It comes from Malaysia and is almost semi-clear in color. nanccinut
A lad over on Frets.net told me Martin at one time used good old lard which got a loud "wow" out of me.
Guess it did the job though as there are lots of very old Martins which sound great kicking around so their fretboards must have remained pretty true over the years with that lard rubbed into the ebony:!: On my old beater going to try a food grade lubricant oil containing anti dust propeties and emulsafiers called MYVACKET 9-45K .
We use this to lubricate in the food industry and it doesn't go solid like lard would have for the Martin people in cold tempature situations. It comes from Malaysia and is almost semi-clear in color. nanccinut